IRLF 


SM    Sfll 


IMAL  GUIDE 

NORTH  AMERICAN 
WILD  ANIMALS 


ANIMAL  GUIDE 
North  American  Wild  Animals 


ANIMAL  GUIDE 

NORTH   AMERICAN 
WILD     ANIMALS 

BY 
CHAS.  K.  REED 


With  Sixty  Species  of  Animals  in  Natural  Colors  from  Original' Paintings 
By  HARRY  F.  HAftVFY    ' 


1915 
CHAS.  K.  REED,  WORCESTER,  MASS. 


L 


Copyright,  1915 
CHAS.  K.  REED 


INTRODUCTION 

It  is  now  nine  years  since  the  first  publication  of  our  ''Bird 
Guide."  After  which  followed  the  "Flower  Guide,"  "Water  and 
Game  Birds,"  "Western  Bird  Guide"  and  "Tree  Guide."  All  of 
these  have  met  with  popular  favor  and  have  been  adopted  in  many 
schools  and  colleges  as  the  standard  text  books  for  field  work 
among  the  instructors  and  students.  During  this  period  we  have 
had  many  requests  from  all  parts  of  the  country  for  other  addi- 
tions to  this  set  of  books,  to  be  in  pocket  size  and  with  COLORED 
ILLUSTRATIONS.  As  a  book  on  animals  has  been  the  most 
frequently  called  for,  we  decided  to  purchase  a  set  of  paintings  by 
the  artist  Harry  F.  Harvey,  covering  the  greatest  number  of  species. 
These  we  have  had  reproduced  by  the  latest  and  best  method,  and 
the  results  are  shown  in  this  book. 

357368 


Our  hope  is  that  it  will  meet  with  the  favor  and  approval  of 
those  ii&e|r£&ted  in  this-  subject,  as  well  as  our  former  guides  have 
done.  • 

The  illustrations  show  how  the  animals  look  in  their  native  en- 
vironments, and  in  the  text  we  have  tried  to  give  an  idea  of  their 
more  prominent  characteristics  and  general  habits. 

One  really  cannot  go  out  with  this  book,  as  with  the  birds  and 
flowers,  and  make  a  study  of  the  animals,  as  so  few  of  them  are  to 
be  seen,  especially  during  the  day.  If  we  consult  any  Dictionary  or 
Encyclopedia  we  find,  generally,  the  name  and  brief  description,  with 
possibly  a  small  illustration  in  black,  of  some  European  species 
which  is  very  misleading. 

These  COLORED  ILLUSTRATIONS  are  all  of  North  Amer- 
ican wild  animals  and  we  hope  will  aid  in  the  identification  to  those 
who  are  looking  for  help  along  this  line.  CHAS.  K.  REED. 

Worcester,  Mass.,  January,  1915. 


NORTH  AMERICAN  WILD  ANIMALS 

Of  which  the  meat  is  used  for  food. 

Elk  or  Wapiti  Armadillo 

Moose  Musk  Ox 

Caribou  Hares,  all  varieties 

Deer  of  all  kinds  Rabbits,  all  varieties 

Antelope  or  Pronghorn  Raccoon 

Mountain  Sheep  Opossum 

Mountain  Goat  Squirrels 

Bear,  except  early  spring  Manatee  or  Sea  Cow 

Buffalo  or  Bison  Peccary 

Woodchuck 

There  are  several  of  the  other  animals  which  are  made, use  of 
on  camping  trips,  but  it  requires  the  skill  of  an  experienced  cook  as 
well  as  a  good  appetite  to  make  them  desirable. 


FUR  BEARING  ANIMALS 

North  American. 
With  the  highest  market  quotation   for  first-class  skins  as   listed 

January  1,  1915. 

Black  Fox    $1,500.00       Black  Bear        $15.00      Coyote  $3.50 

Silver  Fox      1,500.00       Lynx  12.00       Raccoon          3.00 

Polar   Bear       100.00       Marten  or  Sable  10.00       Skunk  3.00 

Grizzly   Bear       75.00       Beaver  10.00       Wild   Cat       2.50 

Otter  30.00      Red  Fox  6.00       Gray  Fox       2.50 

Cross  Fox          25.00       Mink  5.00       Badger  1.25 

Wolverine  20.00       Wolf  4.00       Ermine  1.00 

Fisher  17.50       Civet  Cat  .75       Muskrat  .35 

Many  of  these  skins  are  sold  by  furriers  under  other  names 
after  being  dyed  black  or  brown,  and  with  several  of  them  the  long 
outside  hair  is  plucked,  leaving  the  under  fur  like  velvet  when 
finished.  The  muskrat  when  plucked  and  dyed  becomes  the  Hudson 
Seal. 


HOOFED  ANIMALS. 
FLESH  EATERS. 

GNAWING  ANIMALS. 

INSECT  EATERS. 
WINGED  ANIMALS. 
POUCHED  ANIMALS. 
TOOTHLESS  ANIMALS. 
SEA  ANIMALS. 


Moose,  elk,  caribou,  deer,  buffalo, 
musk  ox,  goats,  sheep,  antelope,  pec- 
cary. 

Bears,  raccoon,  mountain  lion,  lynx, 
wild  cat,  ocelot,  wolf,  coyote,  foxes, 
martens. 

Beaver,  porcupine,  squirrels,  hares, 
rabbits,  rats,  mice. 

Shrews,  moles,  bats. 

Bats. 

Opossum. 

Armadillo. 

Whale,  walrus,  sea  lion,  seal,  manatee. 

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MOOSE 

Alces  auiericanus. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  of  our  North  American  wild  animals, 
and  is  also  found  over  a  larger  area  than  most  of  the  deer  family, 
being  quite  common  from  Newfoundland  to  Alaska,  throughout 
Canada,  and  the  most  northerly  of  the  United  States. 

They  are  cumbersome  and  awkward  looking,  in  height  at  the 
shoulders  upwards  of  six  feet,  and  nearly  nine  feet  in  length.  Their 
hair  is  very  coarse  and  long,  especially  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
neck,  and  also  below  on  the  throat,  from  which  hangs  a  hair- 
covered  cartilage  called  the  bell.  This  sometimes  reaches  the  length 
of  eighteen  inches,  but  usually  is  only  ten  or  twelve  inches  long. 
A  large  male  will  weigh  about  fifteen  hundred  pounds,  and  the 
flesh  of  these  animals  is  considered  superior  to  any  of  the  deer 

family. 

11 


Their  skins  are  also  in  demand  for  making  some  of  the  hest 
grades  of  leather.  When  properly  tanned  it  is  very  pliable  and 
will  outwear  most  any  other  leather.  Their  antlers  are  very  mas- 
sive and  of  different  form  from  others  of  the  deer.  At  the  point 
they  broaden  out  into  a  wide  palm,  from  which  the  points  at  very 
irregular  intervals  project  from  an  inch  in  length  to  sometimes 
over  a  foot.  The  total  spread  of  both  antlers  will  vary  from  three 
feet  to  over  six  feet,  and  a  single  antler  from  one  has  been  found 
to  measure  on  the  under  curve  from  the  skull  to  the  longest  point 
five  feet. 

Their  ears  are  large  and  they  are  very  quick  to  detect  any  un- 
usual sound.  The  nose  is  large,  being  much  wider  at  the  nostril 
than  in  the  middle  of  the  head,  which  brings  the  upper  lip  and  nos- 
tril forward  so  that  it  overhangs  the  under  lip.  The  skull  bones 
are  very  thick  and  solid,  making  with  the  immense  antlers  a  weight 
which  it  would  seem  almost  impossible  for  them  to  carry  for  any 

12 


great  distance  without  rest.  But  their  habits  prove  this  to  the 
contrary,  as  when  disturbed  or  frightened,  they  will  rush  off  with 
enormous  speed,  which  can  be  kept  up  for  miles.  With  nose  high 
in  the  air  and  antlers  laid  back,  fallen  logs  and  through  thick  woods 
does  not  seem  to  impede  their  wild  rush.  They,  during  the  sum- 
mer, months,  feed  about  the  streams  and  ponds,  on  the  young  shoots 
of  water  plants,  or  for  change  of  food  will  ride  down  some  young 
tree  from  which  they  will  eat  the  leaves  and  tender  branches. 

Like  the  elk,  they  will  wade  into  the  water  until  covered,  to 
keep  away  from  the  flies  and  mosquitoes.  In  winter  they  are  to  be 
found  on  the  higher  grounds,  among  the  evergreens  where  they 
feed  upon  the  moss  and  bark  from  the  trees. 


ELK  or  WAPITI 

Cervus  canadensis. 

Seeing  a  large  pair  of  antlers  of  this  animal,  one  might  easily 
form  the  opinion  that  the  animal  was  of  immense  size.  If  meas- 
ured, their  height  at  the  shoulder  is  only  about  six  feet  and  a  half 
and  the  length  of  the  animal  less  than  eight  feet  and  weight  about 
three  hundred  pounds.  Their  antlers  vary  very  much  in  size  and 
thickness.  They  usually  have  from  six  to  eight  points  on  each 
antler  and  these  are  long  enough  so  that  when  standing  on  their 
points  a  man  may  walk  through  them.  Of  course  this  would  be 
considered  an  exceptionally  large  set.  They  shed  these  immense 
antlers  each  year  in  early  spring,  and  the  new  growth  is  very 
rapid,  being  very  soft  and  porous  and  covered  with  a  soft  velvet 
which  remains  on  until  the  horns  have  their  full  growth  and  be- 

15 


come  hardened,  which  usually  requires  about  five  months.  This 
velvet  is  then  removed  by  rubbing  against  trees  until  it  is  entire- 
ly gone.  They  are  getting  to  be  very  rare  east  of  the  Rockies 
and  are  usually  found  in  small  herds  of  a  dozen  or  more  or  per- 
haps only  a  pair.  After  the  breeding  season  they  congregate  in 
large  herds,  sometimes  in  favorable  localities  to  the  number  of 
several  hundred.  They  do  most  of  their  feeding  in  the  early  morn- 
ing and  evening,  remaining  quiet  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
day.  Their  food  consists  largely  of  the  leaves  and  tender  twigs 
of  a  large  variety  of  trees,  or  of  grass  and  weeds.  If  disturbed 
the  bull  elk  will  give  out  a  sharp  whistle  of  warning  to  the  others 
of  the  herd,  and  from  that  instant  they  are  all  on  the  lookout  for 
any  danger.  During  the  winter  months  they  feed  out  in  the  open 
more  on  grass  and  moss  which  shows  above  the  snow. 

In  the  hottest  weather  they  have  the  same  habits  as  the  moose 
of  resorting  to  the  ponds  and  rivers  in  which  they  will  stand  with 

16 


only  the  head  above  water.  This  they  do  to  protect  themselves  from 
flies  and  mosquitoes.  The  female  will  breed  the  third  year,  giving 
birth  to  one  or  two  and  sometimes  three  fawns.  There  are  several 
varieties  of  the  elk  west  of  the  Rockies,  from  New  Mexico  to  Ore- 
gon, the  greatest  difference  being  in  their  coloration,  due  probably 
mostly  to  the  climatic  change.  The  more  northern  varieties  usually 
having  heavier  antlers,  the  hair  longer  in  winter  and  a  little  darker 
color. 


*> 


CARIBOU 
Rangifer  caribou. 

This  particular  representative  of  the  reindeer  family  ranges 
from  northern  Maine  to  Newfoundland,  whence  a  somewhat  smaller 
species  extends  north  to  the  Arctic  barrens  and  frequents  the  coasts 
of  Greenland.  Both  groups  alike  are  distinguished  from  others  of 
the  deer  family  by  their  antlers,  always  being  more  or  less  palma- 
ted,  also  the  female  as  well  as  the  male  have  antlers,  those  of  the 
female  always  are  much  shorter  and  less  in  number  of  points  than 
with  the  male.  One  feature  of  them  all  is  the  spike  or  palmate 
growth  which  branches  out  horizontally  above  the  brow,  frequently 
to  the  end  of  the  nose,  and  in  the  size  of  the  antlers  of  the  males, 
which  generally  are  very  long  and  curving,  and  having  from  thirty 
to  as  many  as  sixty  points  on  the  prongs  or  palms.  When  we  see  the 

19 


great  size  of  some  of  them  we  wonder  how  they  can  be  grown  in 
so  short  a  time,  as  the  antlers  are  shed  each  year. 

The  caribou  lives  upon  the  mosses  and  lichens  found  in  his 
native  haunts  of  snow  and  ice,  but  he  is  also  fond  of  the  sedge 
grass  in  the  marshes.  To  aid  him  in  obtaining  this,  nature  has 
furnished  him  with  broad,  flat,  cloven  hoofs,  which  bear  him  equally 
well  over  the  soft  fields  of  snow  or  the  yielding  surface  of  miry 
boggy  bottoms.  He  is  one  of  the  best  of  travelers,  graceful  and 
rapid,  with  his  long  swinging  stride,  and  proving  so  tireless  that  it 
is  impossible  to  keep  his  trail.  His  scent  is  very  keen  and  if  ap- 
proached must  not  be  with  the  wind,  even  if  he  can  see  you  there 
is  a  doubt  in  his  mind  whether  to  leave  or  not,  but  not  so  if  he 
once  has  the  wind  in  his  favor,  there  is  then  no  chance  of  getting 
him. 

In  size  the  woodland  caribou  is  about  six  feet  long  and  four 
high  at  the  shoulders,  while  his  weight  will  vary  from  two  hundred 

20 


and  fifty  to  three  hundred  pounds.  A  provision  wonderfully  adapted 
to  the  low  temperature  at  which  he  must  maintain  his  existence  is 
the  thickness  of  his  covering,  for,  except  the  musk  ox,  no  animal 
wears  so  heavy  a  blanket.  This  is  composed  of  a  dense  woolly  un- 
derfur,  through  which  penetrate  the  long  coarse  outer  hairs,  de- 
signed especially  to  shed  moisture  and  thus  keep  the  under  layer 
dry  and  warm. 

It  is  the  custom  of  these  deer  to  assemble  semi-annually  in 
large  herds  and  migrate,  with  the  change  of  seasons,  to  better  pro- 
vided or  more  sheltered  feeding  grourTds.  Owing  to  the  greater 
mildness  of  its  usual  range,  the  southern  species  has  less  need  for 
so  universal  a  departure,  although  not  infrequently  seen  in  just 
such  bodies  and  with  just  such  a  purpose  in  view.  The  flesh  is 
darker  than  the  venison  of  most  deer  and  is  considered  far  superior 
in  flavor. 


21 


VIRGINIA  DEER 
Odocoileus  virginianus. 

East  of  the  Rockies  this  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  of  the 
family.  Adult  specimens  are  a  trifle  over  three  feet  in  height  at 
the  shoulders  and  weigh  from  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  to  two 
hundred  pounds.  Their  antlers  vary  greatly  in  size  and  shape,  some 
spreading  very  wide  and  the  points  curving  inward  until  they  some- 
times nearly  meet,  while  others  are  more  straight  and  stand  much 
higher  above  the  head.  They  also  vary  very  much  in  the  number 
of  points  on  the  antlers,  some  having  only  one,  when  it  is  called  a 
spike  horn,  others  having  as  many  as  twenty.  Four  points  on  either 
side  is  the  usual  number.  During  our  cold  winter  weather  the  hair 
is  of  a  more  grayish  color  than  in  the  summer  months,  and  is  much 
longer  and  more  brittle.  These  animals  become  very  tame  in  cap- 

23 


tivity,  and  in  the  wild  state  are  becoming  a  nuisance  to  the  farmer 
who  is  raising  garden  truck  or  young  fruit  trees. 

At  the  present  writing  (1915)  the  game  laws  of  New  England 
protect  them,  allowing  them  to  be  shot  only  for  one  month.  Under 
these  protecting  laws  they  are  becoming  very  abundant  and  un- 
suspicious. It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  an  albino  (or  pure  white 
deer)  during  the  hunting  season.  They  shed  or  drop  their  antlers 
during  the  early  summer,  and  have  a  new  growth  again  within 
three  or  four  months.  These  new  antlers  are  covered  with  a  velvet 
growth  which  remains  on  while  the  horns  are  in  a  soft  or  porous 
condition,  later  this  velvet  being  rubbed  off  by  the  deer  on  trees  and 
bushes  while  feeding.  They  are  very  quiet  during  the  time  when 
the  new  antlers  are  growing  and  remain  in  the  heavy  timber  most 
of  the  time.  The  female,  or  doe,  does  not  have  antlers,  and  the 
young,  or  fawn,  is  lighter  in  color  and  spotted.  They  are  all  very 
graceful  in  their  movements,  the  young  especially  so  after  a  few 

24 


months  old.  They  have  become  so  accustomed  to  the  presence  of 
man  that  they  have  been  known  to  stray  into  the  city  streets  and 
trot  along  as  if  they  were  in  their  native  elements.  In  such  cases 
it  is  usually  some  dog  that  will  startle  them  and  they  are  off  in  a 
hurry.  In  the  woods,  away  from  civilization,  they  are  always  on 
the  alert  and  looking  for  danger.  If  startled  the  buck  will  signal 
danger  with  a  stamp  of  his  hoofs,  a  shrill  whistle  and  throwing  up 
his  tail,  showing  like  a  white  flag,  he  is  off  with  his  companions  for 
a  safer  locality. 


25 


(L 


MULE  DEER  or  BLACK-TAILED 

Odocoileus  hemionus. 

The  mule  deer,  so  called  from  its  enormous  ears,  ranges 
throughout  the  Rocky  Mountain  regions  and  as  far  east  as  Mani- 
toba and  Texas.  It  is  at  once  our  largest  and  most  stately  repre- 
sentative of  its  family,  measuring  between  six  and  seven  feet  in 
length,  standing  over  three  feet  high,  weighing  two  hundred  pounds 
or  more,  and  carrying  high  in  the  air  its  proud  head  adorned  with 
many-branched  antlers,  the  points  of  which  are  usually  longer  and 
more  pointed  than  the  eastern  variety,  also  having  more  in  num- 
ber, rarely  less  than  eight. 

This  member  of  the  deer  group  is  also  known  as  the  "black- 
tailed"  because  the  tail,  which  is  naked  at  the  base,  then  covered 
for  some  inches  with  white  hair,  is  tipped  with  black  at  the  end,  but 

27 


the  name  applies  more  truly  to  a  Pacific  Coast  variety  and  would 
better  be  reserved  for  that  alone.  A  third  title  by  which  it  is 
designated  is  more  fitting,  being  that  of  the  "jumping  deer1'  and 
having  reference  to  the  peculiar  gait.  It  does  not  gallop,  as  does 
its  Virginian  cousin,  but  progresses  by  a  series  of  leaps,  springing 
upward  with  a  quick  jerky  bound,  propelling  itself  into  space  for 
some  distance  and  landing  on  all  four  feet  at  once.  It  covers  ground 
at  a  surprisingly  swift  pace,  with  this  curious  motion,  although  pos- 
sibly less  able  to  maintain  its  speed  for  as  long  a  time  as  do  some 
of  his  kin. 

In  spite  of  any  such  handicap,  however,  and  relying  upon  his 
pale  reddish  coat  in  summer  with  the  change  to  steel  gray  in  win- 
ter to  help  conceal  his  whereabouts,  the  mule  deer  is  a  fearless 
wanderer.  Whether  in  the  badlands,  among  the  foot-hills  in  the 
deep  canyons  of  river  beds,  high  up  on  the  lofty  plateaus,  or  in  the 
sloping  valleys  along  the  mountain  side,  he  shows  a  security  of 

28 


footing  and  boldness  that  reminds  us  of  the  bighorn.  Like  the  lat- 
ter, too,  he  is  often  hunted  for  the  excellent  eating  which  he  af- 
fords, and  still  more  for  the  trophy  of  his  handsome  antlers.  The 
chase  furnishes  much  diversion,  as  it  usually  leads  through  coun- 
try of  wild  beauty  and  much  variety  of  scenery  and  has  as  its  ob- 
ject an  animal  gifted  with  keen  senses  and  native  shrewdness  suf- 
ficient to  make  the  pursuit  sportsmanlike  in  the  extreme.  Only  too 
popular  has  it  proved  and  to-day  we  are  in  grave  danger  of  paying 
for  it  a  price  we  can  ill  afford  ;  namely,  the  extinction  of  a  unique 
and  graceful  creature  which  might  have  yielded  both  pleasure  and 
profit  far  longer,  had  it  been  adequately  protected.  Especially  un- 
fortunate is  this  result  since  the  victim  is  one  whose  chosen  haunts 
preclude  injury  to  man  from  his  presence  and  also  render  it  diffi- 
cult to  preserve  him  in  captivity  in  climatic  conditions  other  than 
those  to  which  he  has  become  accustomed. 


29 


BUFFALO  or  BISON 

Bison  bison. 

This  magnificent  animal,  who  once  roamed  by  the  millions 
over  one-third  of  North  America,  from  the  Great  Slave  Lake  to 
northern  Mexico,  and  from  the  western  slopes  of  the  Appalachians 
to  Nevada,  has  now  less  than  seven  hundred  wild  representatives 
in  one  single,  desolate  spot  southwest  of  the  Great  Slave  Lake.  In 
captivity  perhaps  one  thousand  may  still  be  found,  of  which  the 
largest  herd,  containing  over  one  hundred  head,  is  in  the  Blue 
Mountain  Park  in  New  Hampshire,  less  than  fifty  in  the  once  fa- 
mous Yellowstone  Park  preserve,  and  the  rest  scattered  in  private 
collections,  zoological  gardens,  etc. 

This  wholesale  diminution  of  their  number  furnishes  an  un- 
paralleled illustration  both  of  man's  thoughtless  avarice  and  of  the 

31 


truth  that  mere  size  and  strength,  unaccompanied  by  intelligence, 
are  insufficient  to  prevent  extinction  in  the  animal  kingdom.  When 
he  might  have  overwhelmed  his  enemy  by  his  mass  alone,  this 
dull-witted  beast  ofttimes  preferred  to  stand  idly  by  and,  in  stolid 
ignorance,  watch  the  slaughter  that  was  to  mean  the  extermination 
of  his  kind.  One  unique  factor  in  hastening  the  final  result  was 
the  completion  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railway  in  1869.  This  divided 
the  main  body  of  the  buffalo  family  into  a  northern  and  a  south- 
ern group,  destined  again  never  to  be  reunited.  At  the  same  time, 
by  furnishing  better  means  of  transportation,  it  stimulated  the  de- 
mand for  the  highly  prized  flesh  and  hides  and  thus  proved  of  two- 
fold importance  in  increasing  the  rapidity  of  destruction. 

Both  in  size  and  general  appearance  this  big  creature  would 
seem  more  than  the  equal  of  any  other  of  our  hoofed  animals.  He 
stands  over  five  feet  from  the  ground,  measures  some  ten  feet  in 
length,  and  weighs  almost  a  ton.  His  bulkiness  is  further  in- 

32 


creased  by  the  shaggy  hair  which,  though  short  and  light  on  the  back 
part  of  his  body,  forms  a  dense  mat  of  dark  brown  over  the  high 
hump,  shoulders  and  fore-legs,  while  the  head  is  bowed  down  by 
the  weight  of  the  heavy  frontlet  and  thick  beard.  Huge  herds 
of  these  enormous  beasts,  numbering  hundreds  of  thousands  each, 
were  wont  to  live  on  the  rich  pasturage  of  the  great  western  plains. 
There,  to  protect  themselves  from  flies  and  other  pests,  they  prac- 
ticed the  peculiar  defense  of  wallowing  in  the  damp  swamp  lands 
until  the  body  was  covered  with  a  coat  of  mud  which,  when  dried, 
would  serve  as  an  armor  for  many  days.  These  "wallows"  are 
still  to  be  found  where  every  other  evidence  of  their  former  occu- 
pants has  long  since  passed  away.  In  autumn,  whole  tribes  would 
migrate  southward,  following  well-established  trails  and  traveling 
much  faster  than  their  awkward  frames  would  cause  one  to 
suppose. 


MUSK  OX 

Ovibos  uioschatus. 

From  the  sixty-first  parallel  of  latitude,  north  as  far  as  land 
extends,  are  to  be  found  the  last  survivors  of  a  family  which,  as 
fossilized  remains  tell  us,  once  roamed  over  North  America.  How 
they  eke  out  an  existence  on  the  limited  fare  of  mosses  and  lichens 
obtainable  in  their  haunts  of  ice  and  snow  is  an  unsolved  problem, 
but  they  somehow  manage,  not  only  to  keep  alive,  but  to  appear 
well-nourished  even  during  the  dark  coldness  of  winter.  The  name 
is  due  to  a  peculiar  musky  scent  which  emanates  from  the  body  and 
also  flavors  the  flesh ;  this  taint  is  confined  to  the  males,  and  in 
them  varies  with  age  and  condition,  being  least  objectionable  when 
they  are  fat,  and  practically  absent  in  the  young ;  the  immediate 

35 


dressing  of  the  carcass  is  also  a  preventative,  and  when  free  from 
this  unpleasantness,  the  meat  is  considered  excellent  eating. 

Few  animals  present  a  more  odd  and  interesting  appearance 
than  does  this  rare  northern  creature.  The  first  thing  to  impress  us 
is  the  magnificent  horns  of  the  male.  These  meet  at  the  middle  of 
the  massive  forehead  in  two  flattened  bases,  as  wide  as  the  entire 
width  of  the  brow,  and,  after  extending  downward  and  slightly 
outward  from  the  cheeks  for  a  short  distance,  end  in  a  decided 
upward  and  forward  curve  almost  on  a  level  with  the  eye.  These 
horns  vary  in  length  from  twenty-four  to  twenty-six  inches  and, 
in  no  animal  save  the  mountain  sheep  are  these  features  more 
prominent  and  noteworthy. 

In  height  the  musk  ox  stands  about  four  feet,  in  length  meas- 
ures some  six  feet,  and  weighs,  on  an  average,  approximately  four 
hundred  pounds.  Far  larger  does  he  look,  though,  as  he  stands 
with  his  long,  shaggy,  dark  brown  hair,  matted  tightly  over  his 

36 


shoulders,  but  elsewhere  falling  about  his  frame  almost  to  the 
ground,  nearly  covering  the  short  legs,  and  quite  concealing  the 
three-inch  tail.  Under  this  thick  blanket  we  should  find,  were  it 
near  the  cold  season,  a  heavy  warm  underfur  of  lighter  color, 
through  which  neither  frost  nor  snow  could  find  its  way. 

Although  we  should  not  suspect  it,  either  from  the  length  of 
limb  or  the  general  structure  of  the  body,  he  is  both  quick  and  sure- 
footed. A  partial  explanation  is  that  each  foot  is  equipped  with  an 
inner  and  pointed  hoof  as  well  as  an  outer  and  rounded  one,  a  pro- 
vision which  enables  him  to  make  rapid  progress  over  ice  and  among 
the  steep  and  slippery  rocks  where  he  dwells. 


37 


f 


MOUNTAIN  GOAT 

Oreauinos  inontaniis. 

Curiously  like  the  huge  buffalo  in  general  shape  is  this  moun- 
tain loving  creature  who  dwells  among  the  high  peaks  of  the  Rockies 
and  Cascades,  from  Alaska  to  California,  being  most  numerous  in 
British  Columbia.  There  are  in  both  animals  the  sloping  hind- 
quarters, humped  shoulders  and  stocky  legs ;  also  a  like  lowered 
posture  of  the  head,  with  mane  above  and  hanging  beard  beneath ; 
but,  while  both  have  a  very  shaggy  appearance,  with  this  the  com- 
parison must  cease,  for,  instead  of  the  dark  brown  of  the  buffalo, 
this  inhabitant  of  the  snowy  heights  wears  an  underfur  of  yellow- 
ish white,  concealed  by  an  outer  coat  of  long  white  hair,  which  cor- 
responds with  the  hue  of  his  surroundings  and  protects  him  by  al- 
lowing his  presence  to  pass  unnoticed. 

39 


In  marked  contrast  to  the  whiteness  of  the  body,  stand  out  the 
jet  black  eyes,  horns,  and  hoofs.  The  horns  curve  backward  and 
are  sharp-pointed,  but  short,  measuring  only  from  five  to  ten  inches, 
while  the  hoofs  are  furnished  with  a  rubberlike  cushion  on  the  in- 
side and  a  keen  edge  on  the  outside,  to  carry  their  wearer  equally 
well  over  ice  or  rocks.  Full  use -does  he  make  of  this  convenience 
for  he  proves  false  every  suspicion  of  awkwardness  founded  upon 
his  clumsy  frame.  No  animal  in  all  our  land  is  more  adept  at 
climbing  or  more  fond  of  the  apparently  inaccessible  than  is  he. 
The  ascent  and  crossing  of  perpendicular  walls  is  his  peculiar  de- 
light and  he  never  chooses  a  flat  or  smooth  surface  for  his  travels 
if  he  can  possibly  find  a  steep  or  rough  one. 

This  able  climber  indeed  owes  his  preservation  and  safety  not 
to  size,  quickness  of  motion,  or  cleverness,  but  solely  to  the  dif- 
ficulty and  danger  of  man's  attempts  to  reach  his  native  haunts. 
He  is  considerably  larger  than  a  full  grown  sheep,  measuring  four 

40 


feet  in  length,  three  feet  in  height,  and  weighing  about  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  but  he  much  resembles  that  animal  in  proverbial  in- 
nocence. "What  fun  is  there,"  one  hunter  asks,  "in  shooting  down 
a  creature  who,  when  once  he  knows  you  are  after  him,  dodges  be- 
hind a  wall  of  rock  and,  picking  his  way  calmly  across  its  smooth 
and  perfectly  vertical  surface,  will  look  behind  every  now  and 
again,  as  if  teasing  you  to  follow  him?1'  In  consequence  of  this 
lack  of  suspicion,  he  falls  an  easy  prey  to  the  few  sportsmen  who 
have  sufficient  patience  and  boldness  once  to  approach  within  gun- 
shot. 

The  mountain  goat  lives  on  the  lichens  found  above  the  timber 
line  and,  unlike  most  inhabitants  of  that  high  zone,  is  seldom  forced 
into  the  valleys  by  winter,  preferring  rather  to  pick  up  a  scanty 
fare  by  pawing  the  snow  from  the  lichens. 


41 


ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  SHEEP 

Ovis  cervlna. 

This  dweller  among  our  high  mountain  peaks  is  also  very 
properly  known  as  the  "bighorn"  because  of  the  size  of  the  horns, 
which,  on  the  male,  curve  backward  and  outward  for  a  distance  of 
over  four  feet,  measuring  on  the  outer  curve  of  the  horn,  some- 
times making  a  complete  circle,  and  measure  at  the  base  more  than 
a  foot  in  circumference.  The  entire  length  of  the  body  is  not  much 
greater  than  that  of  the  horn,  being  only  about  four  and  a  half 
feet  long,  and  his  height  is  even  less,  as  he  stands  not  quite  three 
and  a  half  feet  from  the  ground.  The  average  weight  of  a  ram  is 
about  four  hundred  pounds.  The  ewes  are  smaller  in  every  par- 
ticular, being  only  three  feet  long  and  weighing  one  third  less,  and 
with  short,  flat,  erect  horns,  measuring  but  five  to  eight  inches. 

43 


The  color  is  a  dark  grayish  brown  on  the  back,  shading  to  a  white 
about  the  tail  and  on  the  under  parts,  in  winter  the  whole  coat  is 
lighter  than  in  summer,  but  the  older  rams  uniformly  have  less  deep 
coloring  than  the  younger  at  all  seasons. 

While  not  found  in  as  high  altitudes  as  the  mountain  goat,  yet 
the  bighorn  makes  his  home  thousands  of  feet  above  the  sea  level. 
There,  among  inaccessible  cliffs,  the  young  are  born,  usually  but 
one  at  a  birth,  although  occasionally  two  and  from  the  first  are  able 
to  follow  the  mother  and  to  aid  in  their  own  protection.  For  sub- 
sistence, the  mountain  sheep  must  depend  upon  the  scanty  grass 
and  herbage,  but  in  some  mysterious  way  they  are  always  able  to 
remain  sleek  and  well-fed,  even  during  the  winter  snows,  although 
they  seldom  venture  down  into  the  valleys.  Among  their  fastnesses 
they  travel  in  flocks,  and  whenever  they  stop  to  feed  post  a  sentinel 
at  whose  slightest  warning  of  danger  they  are  up  and  away,  over 
peaks,  along  ravines,  down  cliffs,  by  a  maze  of  paths  known  only  to 


themselves.  Indeed  they  seem  to  prefer  the  most  dangerous  routes 
and  the  most  rugged  crags,  on  the  loftiest  projection  of  which  one 
sometimes  may  be  seen,  silhouetted  against  the  sky  like  a  statue. 

Thanks  to  their  vigilance  and  swiftness,  they  are  more  than  a 
match  for  their  wild  enemies  and  their  number  might  soon  increase 
were  it  not  for  man.  The  hunting  of  such  game  is  too  fine  a  sport 
and  the  horns  too  highly  prized  a  trophy  to  be  foregone  lightly ;  but 
his  fleetness  and  sure-footedness,  his  grace  of  movement  and  of 
posture,  have  made  this  noble  creature  such  an  object  of  admira- 
tion that  no  one  will  regret  that  many  states  are  protecting  him  by 
law  to  prevent  his  extinction. 


45 


WHITE  MOUNTAIN   SHEEP 

Ovis   dalli. 

Of  the  seven  varieties  of  mountain  sheep  found  throughout 
the  western  part  of  our  country  from  Alaska  to  northern  Mexico, 
none  is  more  attractive  than  this  inhabitant  of  Alaska  and  the 
Yukon  Territory.  In  size  it  is  smaller  and  more  slender-bodied 
than  the  bighorn,  and  the  horns  are  less  magnificent,  but  any  in- 
feriority is  more  than  counterbalanced  by  its  beauty.  All  through 
the  cold  winter,  its  covering  is  a  long,  heavy  blanket  of  pure  white, 
and,  in  a  pleasing  contrast  to  this,  stand  out  the  amber  yellow  horns 
which,  in  most  of  the  species,  preserve  the  same  peculiar  curves  as 
do  those  of  the  bighorn.  Clad  in  this  garb,  and  its  horns  but  re- 
flecting the  sunlight,  it  sports  unobserved  amid  its  snowy  rocks  with 
quite  as  much  security  as  its  southern  neighbor  feels  among  his 

47 


native  peaks.  From  May  to  September,  its  color  does  not  really 
change  but  becomes  so  shabby,  as  the  fur  is  thinned  for  summer, 
and  so  discolored  by  dirt  that  the  whole  creature  takes  on  a  red- 
dish hue,  and  is  little  esteemed  for  its  appearance. 

Formerly  far  more  abundant  than  at  present,  the  decrease  of 
its  numbers  at  last  called  forth  enough  attention  to  demand  legal 
protection,  but  the  law  passed  has  proved  too  lenient  and  more 
stringent  measures  must  be  taken  if  we  are  to  save  from  extermi- 
nation this  unique  animal. 

An  interesting  peculiarity  of  some  of  this  species  is  noticed  in 
the  horns,  whose  shape  differ  altogether  from  the  typical  circular 
horn  of  the  mountain  sheep,  as  they  start  from  the  forehead  in  a 
more  outward  curve,  bending  downward  but  still  further  out,  and 
ending  in  another  outward,  but  upward  turn.  Although  this  sin- 
gularity is  well  worth  noting,  these  individuals  present  no  other 
marks  of  distinction  and  are  not  classed  as  a  separate  species. 

48 


BLACK  MOUNTAIN  SHEEP 
Oms  stonei. 

Another  species  does  exist,  however,  which  has  not  only  the 
spreading  horns  of  the  variety  just  described,  but  also  a  difference 
of  color  and  range,  although  much  the  same  in  size.  This  is  the 
black  mountain  sheep  found  a  little  further  south  in  British  Colum- 
bia, near  the  Stickins  River.  The  upper  parts  of  the  body  are 
brown,  so  dark  in  comparison  with  the  whiteness  of  the  white  moun- 
tain sheep  as  to  suggest  the  name  black.  In  the  southern  portion 
of  its  territory  this  coloring  is  much  darker  than  further  north,  but 
is  always  in  strong  contrast  to  the  preceding. 


49 


ANTELOPE  or  PRONG  HORN 

Antilocapra  americana. 

Once  ranging  in  large  bands  over  all  the  open  plains  west 
of  the  Mississippi,  from  southern  Canada  to  Mexico,  there  now  sur- 
vive but  a  few  scattered  remnants  of  the  family  of  which  this  North 
American  creature  is  the  sole  representative.  Alone  and  unrelated 
it  stands,  and,  although  called  an  antelope,  is  distinguished  for- 
ever from  the  true  antelopes  of  the  Old  World  by  the  yearly  shed- 
ding of  the  horns  as  well  as  by  the  prongs  which  grow  out  about 
midway  of  their  length,  while  it  is  quite  as  markedly  separated 
from  the  deer  tribe  by  the  hollow  structure  of  these  same  horns. 

The  rapid  diminution  of  its  numbers  has  aroused  sufficient  sen- 
timent to  protect  it  by  law  in  most  localities  and  we  must  hope  that 
the  precaution  has  not  been  taken  too  late.  Doubly  necessary  does 
such  action  appear  when  we  consider  that  this  distinctive  species 

51 


thrives  on  none  but  the  selected  fare  of  its  native  prairies  and  that 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  be  preserved  by  breeding  in  captivity. 
It  is  not  a  large  animal,  standing  a  trifle  less  than  three  feet  high 
and  in  length  about  four  feet,  with  the  stately  head  bearing  straight 
aloft  the  black  horns,  which  are  about  a  foot  long,  the  stiff  little 
mane,  the  shapely  ears,  and  the  slender  and  delicately  molded  legs 
all  contributing  to  a  grace  and  beauty  surpassed  by  no  other  animal. 
Its  coloring  of  light  brown  above  and  white  underneath,  with 
the  bars  of  brown  on  the  throat  and  the  effective  combination  of 
dark  and  light  on  the  face  add  still  further  to  the  pleasing  picture. 
The  odd  patch  of  white  on  the  body  near  the  base  of  the  tail  has  a 
peculiar  function  since  the  hairs  of  the  surface  can  be  made  to 
assume  an  erect  position  at  the  same  time  that  a  musky  odor  is 
given  off.  This  display,  doubtless  originally  intended  as  a  signal 
or  warning  to  its  own  kind,  has  often  proved  its  danger  because  of 
the  clew  thus  afforded  of  its  whereabouts,  as  the  prong  horn  trusts 

52 


largely  to  his  swiftness  for  safety,  and  well  he  may,  for  he  is  one 
of  the  fleetest  of  all  our  animals  and  this  conspicuous  spot  betrays 
his  direction  long  after  he  would  otherwise  be  out  of  sight. 

Another  source  of  trouble  is  his  curiosity.  He  always  seeks 
to  investigate  any  new  sight  or  quick  motion,  and  advantage  has 
frequently  been  made  of  this  trait  to  lure  him  within  shooting 
distance.  If  given  a  chance,  especially  the  females  in  defense  of 
the  young,  they  prove  ready  antagonists,  dealing  sharp  and  by  no 
means  futile  blows  with  their  rapid  hoofs.  The  kids,  usually  two 
are  born  in  the  spring  and  remain  with  the  mother  until  early  fall, 
when  the  bucks  return,  and  all  seek  a  warmer  southern  home  for 
the  winter  season. 


53 


PECCARY 

Tayassu  angulatum. 

The  pig-like  peccary,  akin  to  the  famous  wild  boar  of  European 
countries,  is  found  from  Arkansas  and  Texas  south  throughout 
North  America.  His  bristly  hairs  are  banded  with  black  and  white, 
giving  him  a  grizzled  appearance,  while  the  short,  erect  ears,  the 
prominent  mane,  the  long  fringe  of  hair  beneath  the  throat  and  the 
stripe  of  white,  extending  from  between  the  shoulders  down  under 
the  neck  are  noteworthy  features  of  his  description.  In  size  he  is 
not  a  very  formidable  fellow,  standing  only  a  little  more  than  a 
foot  from  the  ground,  measuring  three  feet  in  length  and  weighing 
about  fifty  pounds.  He  might  easily,  however,  become  a  dangerous 
foe,  as  indeed  are  his  kindred  of  South  America,  by  means  of  his 
powerful  tusks.  Of  these  there  are  two  in  each  jaw,  which,  al- 

55 


though  hardly  visible  beyond  the  lips,  are  double-edged,  extremely 
sharp,  and  curved  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  capable  of  inflicting 
most  serious  wounds.  Our  northern  species  seldom  uses  these 
weapons  against  larger  game  than  the  reptiles  and  birds  upon  which 
he  feeds,  seeming  when  attacked  to  prefer  escape  by  flight,  if  possi- 
ble. 

An  old  and  experienced  boar  usually  leads  the  small  drove  of 
ten  or  a  dozen  peccaries  in  its  wanderings  through  the  forests  in 
search  of  fruits,  nuts,  seeds,  roots,  etc.  True  to  the  established 
reputation  of  hogs,  these  wild  members  of  the  same  family  are 
greedy  eaters  and  do  not  scruple  to  appropriate  to  their  own  use 
any  crop  of  grain  they  may  be  lucky  enough  to  find  in  their  rambles. 
They,  at  least,  partly  pay  for  the  treat,  however,  by  the  large  num- 
ber of  worms  and  insects  they  manage  to  consume.  For  a  resting- 
place  the  drove  usually  chooses  some  hollow  in  a  tree,  or  possibly 
the  deserted  burrow  of  another  animal.  Into  this  retreat  they  enter 

56 


in  their  own  fashion,  each  backing  in  as  far  as  he  can  go,  and  the 
last  comer  must  keep  guard  as  sentinel  at  the  opening  of  the  hole. 

Localities  much  frequented  by  these  odd  creatures  may  be  rec- 
ognized as  favorite  haunts  by  the. strong  and  unpleasant  odor  pecu- 
liar to  them.  It  is  due  to  a  gland  near  the  top  of  the  hind-quarters 
and,  if  the  peccary  is  killed  for  eating  purposes,  this  gland  must  be 
at  once  removed;  otherwise  the  whole  body  becomes  tainted.  The 
flesh  of  the  females  is  considered  better  than  that  of  the  males,  but 
at  best  the  meat  is  wholly  lacking  in  fat  and  is  both  dry  and  insipid. 

Although  not  rated  among  wild  animals  as  possessing  a  high 
grade  of  intelligence,  yet  this  small  beast  is  able  to  hold  his  own 
among  the  fierce  inhabitants  of  tropical  thickets. 


57 


GRIZZLY  BEAR 

Ursus  horribilis. 

The  Latin  adjective  "horribilis,"  signifying  "to  be  dreaded,"  is 
very  fitly  applied  to  this  huge  and  powerful  creature  who  owns  no 
superior  among  the  wild  animals  and,  although  seldom  attacking 
man,  is  very  quick  to  take  offense  and,  when  once  on  the  aggressive, 
has  proved  most  formidable,  as  many  a  pioneer  tale  avouches. 
While  in  those  early  days  not  uncommonly  found  from  Alaska  to 
Mexico,  at  present  it  is  rarely  seen  south  of  British  Columbia,  al- 
though it  doubtless  still  roams  about  the  solitudes  of  secluded  moun- 
tain fastnesses.  Our  aborigines  gave  testimony  to  its  prowess  by 
the  wearing  of  necklaces  made  from  the  claws,  a  form  of  adorn- 
ment reserved  only  for  the  Indian  brave  able  to  slay  a  grizzly  and 
thus  forever  hold  a  place  of  undisputed  honor  in  the  tribe.  Ter- 

59 


rible,  indeed,  are  these  claws,  measuring  as  much  as  five  inches 
in  length,  and  curved  for  convenience  in  holding  the  prey  while  the 
piercing  sharpness  penetrates  far  within.  Equally  sharp  and  strong 
are  the  keen-edged  teeth  and  the  massive  forelimbs  possess  suf- 
ficient might  to  down  most  of  its  victims  with  a  single  blow. 

Nor  do  its  ferocity  and  natural  weapons  have  to  make  up  for 
any  inferiority  of  size,  since  of  all  bears  it  is  the  largest,  having  a 
length  of  from  six  to  eight  feet,  a  girth  of  about  the  same  dimen- 
sions, and  a  weight  of  from  six  to  ten  hundred  pounds.  In  its  gait 
it  may  be  ungainly,  swinging  its  bulky  frame  from  side  to  side  as  it 
lopes  along  at  an  awkward  pace,  and  seeming  to  beat  time  by  the 
rolling  motion  of  :ts  big  head,  but,  in  spite  of  all  this,  it  manages 
to  get  over  the  ground  at  a  very  creditable  rate  of  speed.  Neither 
has  it  any  fear  of  the  water,  as  it  is  an  excellent  swimmer,  and  only 
in  tree-climbing  does  this  species,  at  least  when  full  grown,  prove 
less  skilful  than  others  of  its  family. 

60 


While  the  typical  grizzly  is  dull  brown  several  varieties  of 
coloring  all  the  way  from  brown  to  dark  gray  have  been  noted, 
having,  however,  the  common  peculiarity  that  many  of  the  coarse 
wiry  hairs  are  tipped  with  silvery  white  to  produce  the  grizzled 
appearance  suggestive  of  the  name.  Truly  strange  have  been  the 
changes  since  this  most  terrible  of  beasts  confidently  exacted  its 
tribute  from  all  four-footed  dwellers  in  its  native  wilds,  not  ex- 
cepting the  mammoth  buffalo,  who  was  forced  with  the  rest  to  fur- 
nish a  regular  share  of  its  support.  To-day  this  particular  victim 
has  wholly  disappeared  and  the  lordly  conqueror  has  been  forced 
further  back,  until  compelled  to  eke  out  a  humble  existence  on 
acorns,  nuts,  fruits  and  berries,  with  the  addition  of  occasional  small 
game  as  a  mean  substitute  for  the  prizes  that  were  once  his. 


61 


POLAR  BEAR 

Thalarctos  maritlmus. 

Although  not  infrequently  marooned  on  a  drifting  iceberg  and 
so  carried  south  much  against  his  will,  the  polar  bear  is  at  home  in 
the  far  north  where  the  silvery  white  coat  serves  as  his  best  protec- 
tion all  the  year  round.  A  big  beautiful  creature  he  is,  standing 
over  four  feet  high,  measuring  from  seven  to  nine  feet  in  length  and 
weighing  from  eight  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  pounds.  His  long 
neck  and  shapely  head  add  a  certain  stateliness  to  his  appearance 
while  the  broad  flat  paws  seem  a  fitting  support  for  the  massive 
frame. 

Large  as  he  is,  his  size  detracts  not  at  all  from  his  ability  as  he 
is  probably  the  fastest  and  most  enduring  swimmer  of  all  his  kin 
and  has  the  peculiar  power  of  being  able  to  make  excellent  prog- 


ress  over  the  ice  floes  of  his  native  clime.  For  this  purpose,  nature 
has  equipped  the  soles  of  his  big  feet  with  a  hairy  pad,  which  serves 
not  alone  to  prevent  him  from  slipping  but  also  as  a  warm  blanket 
in  his  contact  with  the  frozen  surface. 

Thus,  equally  at  his  ease  on  ice  or  in  the  water,  he  may  be 
seen,  in  company  with  his  mate  and  the  two  or  three  cubs,  hunting 
for  the  clumsy  seal  or  huge  walrus,  which  he  will  have  little  diffi- 
culty in  securing  for  their  meal.  A  favorite  method  of  attack  is, 
after  once  spying  out  the  prey  quite  off  its  guard  on  some  distant 
ice  cake,  to  approach  by  alternate  swimming  and  diving  until  within 
easy  reach,  when  he  will  suddenly  appear  from  underneath  the 
water  and  cut  off  all  hope  of  escape.  He  is  also  often  successful 
in  tilting  the  cake  at  such  an  angle  that  the  unfortunate  occupant 
must  of  necessity  fall  off  into  his  very  jaws.  During  the  short  Arc- 
tic summer  a  few  berries  or  roots  may  be  a  welcome  change  of 
fare,  but,  for  the  most  part,  an  occasional  salmon  or  other  fish  must 

64 


suffice  to  vary  the  usual  diet.  On  the  journeys  for  food,  the  whole 
family  may  make  their  way  from  one  sheet  of  ice  to  another  until 
they  are  far  out  at  sea  and  sometimes  carried  away  to  unfamiliar 
shores,  where  they  must  appease  their  hunger  by  invasions  among 
domestic  flocks. 

Although  usually  timid  and  unaggressive  beings  in  their  dealings 
with  man,  the  female  with  her  young  often  proves  an  exception  to 
the  rule.  She  has  good  cause,  however,  for  her  irritable  temper,  as 
the  cubs  are  born  soon  after  she  begins  to  hibernate  and  the  spring 
finds  her  thin,  half -starved  and  with  all  a  mother's  jealousy  and 
fear  for  her  offspring.  The  male  does  not  hibernate,  but,  after 
seeing  his  mate  safely  disposed  of  in  the  cleft  rock  or  under  the 
projecting  ledge  which  is  to  be  her  winter  shelter,  returns  to  his 
ordinary  duties  of  active  life. 


65 


k 

1  m 


BLACK  BEAR 

Ursits  americamts. 

Formerly  having  the  widest  range  and  being  the  best  known  of 
the  whole  family,  this  typical  American  bear  still  preserves  his  spe- 
cies in  the  largest  numbers  and  frequents  lonely  mountain  tracts 
and  heavily  timbered  forests  north  and  south,  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific  coasts.  This  good  fortune  is  due  chiefly,  however,  to  his 
wholesome  fear  of  man,  for  valuable  to  the  colonists  for  fat  and 
flesh,  most  highly  prized  of  all  was  the  beautiful  fur.  Unlike  the 
covering  of  the  other  bears,  this  possesses  an  exceptional  softness 
and  smoothness  of  texture,  while  the  glossy  jet  black  adds  a  rich- 
ness equal  to  that  of  many  of  the  distinctly  fur-bearing  animals. 
This  handsome  coloring  more  than  compensates  for  his  inferiority 
to  the  grizzly  in  size,  as  shown  by  the  average  length  of  but  five 

67 


feet  and  the  difference  in  weight,  as  he  is  usually  at  least  one  hun- 
dred pounds  lighter,  may  well  be  sacrificed  for  greater  shapeliness 
and  ease  of  motion.  Fully  able  to  hold  his  own  in  a  swimming 
contest  with  his  bigger  cousin,  he  excels  at  climbing,  making  his  way 
up  any  tree  or  out  on  any  branch  strong  enough  to  bear  him. 

Indeed  he  must  often  practice  this  method  of  approach  to  find 
his  favorite  dainty,  since  nothing  is  so  toothsome  to  black  Bruin 
as  wild  honey.  To  get  it,  he  will  not  only  scale  almost  any  kind  of 
tree,  but  will  withstand  the  stings  of  its  guardians,  while  making 
an  opening  large  enough  to  admit  his  huge  paw,  and  feeling  more 
than  repaid  for  his  trouble,  as  he  licks  off  the  sweet,  comb,  honey, 
young  and  all.  While  some  individual  members  of  this  group  may 
always  crave  animal  food,  most  of  them  are  quite  content  with  an 
abundance  of  berries  and  fruit,  unless,  however,  they  may  gain 
access  to  a  pig-pen,  as,  without  exception,  they  are  inordinately 
fond  of  pork.  The  juicy  sap  of  growing  corn  furnishes  another 

68 


pleasing  change  of  diet,  but  they  are  ever  cautious  in  their  trespass 
within  the  bounds  of  cultivation. 

Although  as  a  rule  watchful,  rather  than  aggressive,  yet,  if 
once  on  the  warpath,  they  show  all  of  the  natural  bravery  of  their 
tribe  and,  with  their  powerful  fore  paws,  can  administer  death- 
dealing  blows  in  rapid  succession.  Such  is  their  resistance  to  ordi- 
nary wounds  that  a  heart-penetrating  rifle  ball  is  the  only  effectual 
means  of  compelling  final  surrender. 

The  inquisitive  disposition  of  these  creatures  was  recognized  as 
a  proof  of  intelligence  by  the  Indians.  Only  with  true  compunc- 
tion would  he  slay  his  dumb  questioner  and  then 'performed  cer- 
tain rites  to  show  his  grief  for  the  dead  and  his  esteem  for  the 
surviving  kindred.  It  should  be  noted  that  the  "Cinnamon"  bear 
of  the  Rockies  and  west  has  not  a  separate  classification,  as  for- 
merly, but  is  a  brown  phase  of  this  same  species. 


69 


RACCOON 

Procyon  lotor. 

This  clever  and  enterprising  animal,  familiarly  known  as  the 
"coon"  is  found  throughout  the  United  States  and  in  the  western 
part  of  our  country,  as  far  north  as  Alaska.  Unlike  many  of  our 
wild  creatures,  its  numbers  are  increasing  even  near  thickly  settled 
localities  and  under  apparently  unfavorable  conditions.  In  length 
it  measures  about  thirty  inches,  being  thick-set  in  form  and  ordi- 
narily clumsy  and  deliberate  in  movement.  Its  covering  consists  of 
what  we  might  term  two  coats  ;  next  to  the  skin  is  a  gray  woolly 
fur  through  which  projects  longer  hairs  of  a  mixed  gray  and  black 
color;  these  two  layers  together  form  such  a  thick  protection  that 
it  is  necessary  for  the  wearer  to  hibernate  only  during  the  most 
extreme  cold  weather.  The  short,  bushy  tail  is  a  grayish  white, 

71 


conspicuously  marked  with  rings  of  black.  The  general  effect  of 
the  varied  coloring  of  the  raccoon  is  very  handsome  and  its  fur 
is  much  used  for  driving  garments,  carriage  robes  and  the  like. 

The  Latin  title  "lotor''  means  "a  washer"  and  has  reference 
to  one  of  the  peculiar  customs  of  this  animal;  namely,  that  of 
always  washing  his  food,  especially  meat,  by  thoroughly  sousing  it 
up  and  down  in  water.  He  often  chooses  to  go  hungry  rather  than 
dine  without  this  ceremony  and  is  not  content  unless  allowed  to 
perform  it  for  himself.  In  order  to  indulge  it  more  conveniently, 
he  prefers  his  home  in  a  hollow  tree  to  be  situated  near  a  pond  or 
stream.  As  for  his  diet,  it  may  be  said  to  include  everything  that 
comes  in  his  way,  and  comprises  vegetables,  fish,  fowl,  or  meat. 
Green  corn  is  a  favorite  delicacy,  while  prey  from  a  neighboring 
hen-roost,  or  oysters  clawed  from  the  mud  at  low  tide  are  always 
welcome  additions  to  his  fare.  He  is,  in  fact,  one  of  our  most 
omnivorous  eaters  and  is  as  fond  of  drink  as  of  food,  even  being 

72 


a  tippler  of  fermented  liquor,  if  he  but  has  the  chance.  Most  of  his 
foraging  is  done  at  night  and  it  is  then  that  he  may  be  surprised 
and  trapped,  or  chased  by  a  good  "coon  dog"  until  forced  to  take 
refuge  in  a  tree  from  which  the  sportsman  easily  dislodges  him. 
Coon  suppers  are  a  popular  feasting  frolic  in  many  places  where  he 
is  hunted  and  the  flesh  is  both  tender  and  toothsome. 

In  the  south  the  raccoon  is  held  in  high  favor,  and  wherever 
he  is  known  his  amusing  and  inquisitive  nature  makes  him  an  en- 
tertaining captive,  while  because  of  his  affectionate  disposition  and 
retentive  memory  he  may  be  readily  trained  as  a  most  excellent  pet. 
THE  CIVET  CAT  (Bassariscus  astutus  fluvus),  found  only  in 
the  extreme  southwest,  is  about  the  same  length  as  the  raccoon, 
and  the  only  other  animal  having  a  tail  banded  black  and  white. 


73 


MOUNTAIN  LION  or  COUGAR 

Felis  couguar. 

This  animal  called  "cougar''  from  an  abbreviation  of  its 
South  American  name  and  known  as  mountain  lion  from  its  uni- 
form brownish  drab  color,  as  "puma"  and  panther  from  its  leopard- 
like  movements,  and  as  painter  from  the  name  given  it  by  the  first 
settlers,  is  as  widely  distributed  as  this  list  of  titles  implies,  for- 
merly ranging  from  the  Canadian  border  south  throughout  our 
country  and  still  to  be  found  in  the  mountain  tracts  and  undeveloped 
lands  of  the  west  and  south. 

Many  stories  have  been  told  of  its  attacks  upon  human  be- 
ings, and  the  quickness  with  which  the  colonists  contrived  to  rid 
their  settlements  of  its  presence  might  seem  to  prove  at  least  a  foun- 
dation of  fact  to  some  of  them.  If  so,  the  painter  well  learned  his 

75 


lesson,  for  although  slinking  and  prowling  enough  about  hunters' 
paths,  he  displays  a  wholesome  dread  of  any  personal  encounter 
with  them. 

This  fear  of  man  is  his  only  fear,  however,  since  almost  all 
wild  animals,  at  some  time  or  other,  furnish  prey  to  this  big  cat, 
of  lithe  frame  and  long  body,  measuring  five  or  six  feet  exclusive  of 
his  two  or  three  foot  tail,  he  is  the  best  climber  of  his  tribe  and 
admirably  fitted  to  spring  down  from  some  overhanging  tree  or 
ledge  directly  upon  the  unconscious  victim,  for  whom  he  has  been 
lying  in  wait.  When  too  hungry,  to  choose  this  uncertain  way  of 
getting  a  meal,  he  will  pursue  a  crafty  still  hunt,  sneaking  about 
until  he  sights  his  game,  then  approaching  it  noiselessly  with  the 
marvelous  leaps  which  his  long  muscular  legs  make  possible  and 
at  last  pouncing  upon  it  with  one  swift,  silent  dart.  By  this  means 
he  brings  to  earth  such  able  creatures  as  the  mountain  sheep,  mule 
deer,  peccary,  etc.  At  any  time  he  may  dine  at  his  ease  upon  fish, 

76 


wild  fowl,  rabbits  and  all  of  the  smaller  mammals,  and  often  wreaks 
dire  havoc  if  allowed  to  lurk  in  the  vicinity  of  a  cattle  ranch  or 
sheep  fold,  since  the  flesh  of  colts  and  lambs  is  considered  an 
especial  delicacy  by  him. 

The  puma's  home  depends  chiefly  upon  the  character  of  the 
country  where  he  lives.  In  rocky  regions  he  will  make  his  lair  in  a 
crevice  between  the  cliffs,  but  in  the  woods,  a  hollow  log,  stump  or 
tree  will  please  him  quite  as  well.  In  the  badlands  he  contrives  a 
sort  of  burrow  in  the  wash-out  holes,  while  best  of  all  perhaps  he 
likes  a  den  under  a  pile  of  brush  or  undergrowth  in  some  thicket. 
Their  kittens,  usually  from  two  to  five  in  number,  are  peculiar  in 
that  their  tawny  fur  is  marked  with  dark  spots,  giving  them  more 
resemblance  to  most  cats  than  have  their  parents.  At  the  age  of 
six  months  these  spots  begin  to  fade  and  soon  entirely  disappear. 


77 


CANADA  LYNX 
Lynx  canadensis. 

From  southern  Yukon  to  the  northern  United  States  is  found 
this  American  representative  of  the  lynx  family,  although  as  he 
demands  for  his  home  the  most  dense  of  forests  and  the  most  des- 
olate of  rocky  caverns,  his  range  is  constantly  becoming  more  re- 
stricted with  the  further  development  of  our  country.  A  very  typi- 
cal specimen  of  his  tribe  he  is,  being  characterized  by  the  usual 
disproportionally  long  legs,  a  tail  so  short  as  to  be  almost  invisible, 
a  ruff  of  hair  hanging  from  his  cheeks  down  over  his  throat,  and  the 
straight,  stiff,  black  tufts  protruding  above  the  ears.  His  fur,  more- 
over, has  the  soft,  thick  texture  and  the  loose,  clinging  quality  for 
which  his  kind  are  so  highly  prized,  while  the  blended  effect  of 


light  gray  spotted  with  a  darker  shade  detracts  not  at  all  from  its 
beauty. 

Among  his  native  haunts  this  indistinctness  of  coloring  adds 
greatly  to  his  protection  since  it  serves  as  a  perfect  disguise  against 
almost  any  background.  It  is  also  of  immense  assistance  to  him  in 
securing  his  food  as  his  success  often  depends  upon  his  ability  to 
remain  unseen  until  his  prey  comes  within  reach.  His  length  of 
limbs,  however,  indicates  that  he  may,  upon  occasion,  prove  an  ex- 
cellent hunter,  although  one  would  hardl}  call  his  gait  graceful,  as 
he  travels  in  springing  leaps,  arching  his  back  as  he  leaves  the 
ground,  and  coming  down  on  all  four  feet  at  once. 

Thanks  to  his  broad  and  hairy  paws,  this  curious  motion  is 
attended  with  the  utmost  stillness  and  he  may  alight  in  equal  securi- 
ty on  the  yielding  crust  of  snow  or  dry  leaves  and  brittle  twigs,  with 
no  danger  of  warning  a  possible  victim  of  his  approach.  His  skill 
both  at  swimming  and  climbing  offers  him  a  wide  selection  from 


which  to  choose  his  fare,  including  fish,  birds,  wild  fowl,  and  all 
of  the  smaller  mammals,  but  in  spite  of  this,  the  cold  frozen  win- 
ter must  hold  in  store  for  him  many  hungry  days  and  nights,  when 
all  his  powers  will  be  called  into  force  to  keep  him  from  actual 
starvation. 

The  lynx  is  not  a  large  animal,  measuring  about  three  feet  in 
length  and  standing  from  eighteen  to  twenty-four  inches  high.  He 
is,  nevertheless,  far  more  formidable  in  appearance  than  in  dispo- 
sition as  the  staring  big  eyes  and  long  coarse  whiskers  give  the 
square,  flat  face  an  expression  of  exceeding  ferocity,  while  in 
reality  he  is  a  very  unaggressive  beast,  making  it  his  chief  care  to 
put  as  much  space  as  possible  between  himself  and  any  prospective 
enemy.  If  cornered,  however,  he  shows  himself  no  coward  and 
proves  beyond  all  question  that  his  policy  is  neither  to  give  or  re- 
ceive quarter. 


81 


WILD  CAT 

Lynx  ruff  us. 

Once  common  throughout  most  of  our  country,  the  wild  cat  has 
largely  disappeared  with  the  devastation  of  the  forests,  which  were 
both  his  hiding  place  and  hunting  ground,  but  he  may  still  occa- 
sionally be  found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  east  and  west,  wher- 
ever overgrown  and  rough  regions  afford  sufficient  seclusion  and 
means  of  livelihood.  The  several  varieties  of  this  species  differ 
much  in  coloring  and  in  their  wide  range,  have  been  given  many 
names,  such  as  "Bob-cat,''  "Bay  Lynx/'  and  "Red  Lynx."  All  alike, 
however,  whether  the  background  of  their  fur  be  lighter  or  darker, 
a  more  grayish,  reddish,  or  yellowish  brown,  are  distinctly  marked 
with  very  dark  brown  or  black  spots  which  produce  a  uniformly 
brindled  appearance.  All  of  them,  too,  are  characterized  by  the 

83 


short  stubby  tail,  not  more  than  six  or  seven  inches  long,  always 
bushy  and  never  tapering'  as  is  that  of  their  domestic  namesake. 
Their  length,  including  the  tail,  measures  about  three  feet,  while 
they  stand  from  twenty  to  twenty- four  inches  high  and  weigh  from 
eighteen  to  twenty-five  pounds.  They  are  by  no  means  unattractive 
creatures,  as  the  effect  of  the  markings  is  often  very  handsome 
and  they  always  possess  the  grace  and  ease  of  movement  peculiar 
to  their  tribe. 

Left  to  their  own  devices,  they  are  peaceful  enough  and  in- 
clined to  be  shy  and  retiring  at  the  approach  of  an  enemy.  Once 
forced  to  the  defensive,  nevertheless,  they  become  the  most  savage 
of  animals,  fighting  with  both  teeth  and  claws,  showing  no  mercy 
and  never  yielding  until  absolutely  helpless.  They  catch  their  prey, 
not  by  pursuit  or  valor,  but  in  the  stealthy  manner  of  all  cat-hunting, 
either  creeping  upon  it  unaware,  or  lying  concealed  in  wait  for  it. 
They  are  not  particular  as  to  what  their  food  is,  which  at  times  may 


84 


consist  of  some  small  bird,  but  usually  seeking  their  regular  meals 
from  more  substantial  game,  such  as  owls,  grouse,  partridge,  mice, 
squirrels  and  rabbits,  of  which  the  last  'is  perhaps  the  most  staple 
article  of  diet. 

They  are  expert  tree-climbers  and  frequently  choose  for  a 
home  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  or  more  often  a  fissure  down  among  the 
rocks,  lining  their  nest  with  moss  or  dry  leaves  to  make  it  soft  and 
comfortable.  Although  they  may  prefer  the  darkness  or  at  least 
twilight  for  their  excursions  abroad,  they  delight  to  come  out  of 
their  den  and  bask  in  the  warm  sunshine  of  some  sheltered  ledge 
quite  as  does  our  household  pet  before  an  open  fire.  Indeed  they 
betray  their  distant  relationship  to  this  familiar  favorite  by  show- 
ing no  aversion  to  the  society  of  humankind,  since  they  have  often 
been  known  to  remain  even  after  a  community  has  become  well  set- 
tled and  to  seek  accommodations  elsewhere,  only  when  compelled  by 
the  scarcity  of  a  food  supply. 

85 


OCELOT 

Felis  pardalis. 

The  ocelot  is  found  within  our  horders  no  further  north  than 
southern  Louisiana  and  Texas,  as  most  of  its  range  is  in  South 
America.  It  is  also  known  as  "Tiger  Cat"  and  very  properly,  since 
it  possesses  alike  the  feline  virtues  of  beauty  and  gracefulness  and 
the  feline  vices  for  cunning  and  ferocity.  In  height  it  stands  a 
little  more  than  a  foot  from  the  ground,  its  entire  length  is  about 
forty-five  inches,  of  which  the  tail  measures  about  one-third,  and 
the  weight  from  thirty  to  forty  pounds.  A  distinguishing  feature 
about  its  appearance  is  the  direction  in  which  run  the  stripes  or 
blotches  of  black  adorning  its  reddish  gray  coat.  These  vary  with 
each  ocelot  as  to  the  size  and  shape,  but  on  them  all,  and  on  them 
alone  of  all  animals,  they  lie  lengthwise  of  the  body.  The  under- 

87 


parts  of  the  creature  are  white  with  black  spots  or  light  brown,  the 
markings  of  the  legs  resemble  those  of  the  body  and  the  long  tawny 
tail  is  almost  encircled  with  dark  rings.  Owing  to  the  striking 
contrast  between  the  light  background  and  the  dark  streaks  or  lines, 
whose  pattern  is  ever  different,  yet  always  displays  the  beauty  of 
some  regular  design  of  its  own,  this  species  is  one  of  the  most  hand- 
some of  the  cat  tribe  and  the  fur  is  valued  accordingly  in  the  manu- 
facture of  fur  luxuries  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

In  common  with  most  of  his  kind,  the  ocelot  is  an  expert 
climber,  scrambling  up  a  smooth  tree  trunk  with  all  the  agility  of  a 
young  kitten.  Indeed,  in  the  forests  of  his  native  haunts,  and  he 
seldom  chooses  to  show  himself  in  the  open  country,  much  of  his 
time  is  spent  up  among  the  branches.  He  prefers  these  leafy 
abodes,  not  alone  for  the  exercise  and  pleasure  it  must  give  him  to 
sport  with  his  lithe  form  in  such  airy  places,  but  also  because  it  is 
up  there  that  he  secures  much  of  his  food.  To  be  sure  he  is  per- 

88 


fectly  able  to  catch  the  smaller  quadrupeds  to  be  found  on  the 
ground  and  among  the  rocks ;  and  these  he  does  delight  to  hunt  in 
true  cat  fashion,  creeping  stealthily  up  within  leaping  distance, 
whence,  with  one  dart,  he  may  pounce  upon  his  unsuspecting  victim. 
But  he  has  a  particular  liking  for  birds,  so,  when  he  chooses  to  dine 
upon  them  the  easiest  plan  is  to  post  himself  among  the  lower  boughs 
and  simply  to  lie  hidden  until  one  comes  along,  when,  with  a  leap 
there  will  be  no  more  bird,  but  the  most  innocent  looking  big  fawn- 
colored  cat,  contentedly  washing  his  paws. 

Incredible  as  it  may  seem,  these  creatures,  who  are  naturally 
so  savage,  become  very  amenable  in  captivity  and  show  much  af- 
fection for  their  keepers.  Especially  is  this  true  if  they  are  taken 
when  young,  or  if  their  confidence  and  regard  are  won  by  some  tid- 
bit or  some  pleasing  mark  of  attention. 


GRAY  WOLF 

Canis  occidentalis. 

This  animal,  probably  but  a  geographical  variation  of  the 
European  wolf,  was  once  common  throughout  North  America. 
While  called  the  ''timber  wolf,"  because  of  a  preference  for  for- 
ests from  north  to  south,  it  was  by  no  means  confined  to  these, 
but  was  also  especially  numerous  upon  the  western  plains.  With 
the  advance  of  settlements  its  extermination  became  absolutely  nec- 
essary and  bounties  were  placed  upon  its  scalp.  The  vigorous  war- 
fare in  consequence  waged  against  it  has  been  so  effective  that 
to-day  the  range  is  restricted  to  the  most  heavily-forested  parts 
of  the  Rockies,  the  desolate  regions  about  Hudson  Bay  and  the 
badlands  of  the  west,  which  are  to  be  reclaimed  from  wildness 
only  with  great  difficulty  because  of  the  nature  of  the  soil. 

91 


Although  the  most  typical  American  representative  of  the  fam- 
ily in  both  general  appearance  and  habits,  there  are,  nevertheless, 
many  differences  in  coloring  and  local  range.  In  general,  how- 
ever, all  varieties  are  a  dark  gray  with  more  or  less  of  a  yellowish 
or  rufous  tinge. 

In  size  they  usually  measure  about  four  feet,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  tail  about  one  quarter  the  length  of  the  body  and  stand 
some  two  feet  from  the  ground.  The  home  may  be  a  den  among  the 
rocks,  the  hollow  of  a  fallen  tree-trunk,  or  an  underground  bur- 
row, where  the  young,  from  six  to  ten  in  number,  are  born  each 
spring.  These  remain  with  the  mother  during  the  summer,  being 
trained  in  the  art  of  getting  a  living  for  themselves,  while  the 
father-wolf  brings  them  such  supplies  as  are  necessary  to  assist  in 
their  efforts.  By  fall  they  are  ready  to  take  their  place  in  the  pack, 
after  which  the  lair  is  used  as  a  good  retreat  in  which  to  rest  after 
battle  or  to  hide  by  day,  as  they  are  creatures  of  the  night,  but  little 
in  evidence  except  under  cover  of  darkness. 

92 


Their  method  of  hunting  is  to  attack  the  prey  outright  and  run 
it  down,  and  truly  small  need  have  they  of  stratagem,  for,  because 
of  their  unsurpassed  speed  and  strength,  no  animal  can  hope  to  es- 
cape them.  Only  very  rarely  does  it  happen  that  superior  cunning 
is  able  to  save  an  unfortunate  upon  whose  trail  they  have  once  start- 
ed. All  sorts  of  wild  beasts  are  acceptable  to  them  and  domestic 
sheep  are  a  favorite  booty.  In  this  country  there  has  been  few  in- 
stances of  attacks  on  human  beings,  but  there  is  no  good  reason  to 
suppose  this  due  to  any  compunction  on  their  part,  as  their  kin- 
dred of  Russia  have  no  such  scruples ;  the  large  number  of  wild 
prey  whose  abundance  and  extermination  were  contemporary  with 
their  own  is  a  more  natural  explanation  of  their  leniency.  Par- 
ticularly fond  were  they  of  the  buffalo  meat,  and  little  suspected, 
as  they  consumed  the  young,  sick,  and  wounded  of  these  in  the  midst 
of  the  stolid  herds,  that  their  own  family,  like  that  of  their  victims, 
was  destined  to  disappear  forever  before  a  new  and  unknown 
enemy. 


93 


COYOTE 

Canis  latrans. 

The  coyote,  or  "prairie  wolf"  as  it  is  called  in  contrast  to  the 
gray  or  timber  wolf  by  the  difference  in  habitat,  was  formerly  all 
too  common  throughout  our  country  from  north  to  south,  being 
most  numerous  on  the  Western  plains,  but  at  present  is  rare  any- 
where, although  its  range  includes  remote  regions  from  Alaska 
to  Guatemala.  In  such  solitudes,  at  dead  of  night  and  often  at  the 
near  approach  of  dawn,  may  be  heard  his  high-pitched  cry,  half 
howl,  half  yelp,  easily  distinguished  from  the  deep  bass  growl  of  his 
gray  neighbor,  and  from  which  he  receives  his  Latin  name  "latrans" 
meaning  "barking.'' 

Most  of  the  marauding  is  done  during  the  darkness,  when  these 
sly  creatures  slink  forth  in  packs  to  secure  their  prey ;  hares,  chip- 

95 


munks,  ground  squirrels  and  mice  are  their  staple  diet,  but  these 
are  often  supplemented  by  various  game  birds  and  young  fawns. 
The  latter  are  about  the  largest  animals  against  whom  they  volun- 
tarily wage  war,  for,  unlike  most  of  their  family,  the  coyotes 
are  cowardly  beasts  and  lack  much  of  the  reputed  ferocity  of  their 
kind.  Like  most  cowards,  however,  they  put  on  a  sufficiently  bold 
front  to  terrify  their  inferiors  and,  in  Yellowstone  Park,  have  proved 
such  a  menace  that  every  means  has  been  taken  for  their  extermi- 
nation. 

In  their  dealings  with  men  these  wolves  are  perfectly  harm- 
less beings  whose  worst  fault  is  the  persistency  with  wfiich  they 
follow  camping  parties  in  the  hopes  of  finding  waste  scraps  of  food. 
Indeed,  there  appears  to  exist  a  sort  of  good- fellowship  between 
them  and  the  Indians  of  the  West  and  Northwest,  the  descendants 
of  those  aborigines  to  whom  they  owe  the  common  name  "coyote." 
They  also  seem  to  have  taken  into  their  nature  some  of  the  wily 

96 


caution  of  the  Redman,  for  it  is  almost  impossible  to  catch  them  in 
traps.  No  matter  how  temptingly  baited,  the  stratagem  is  almost 
invariably  discovered  and  left  untouched.  Their  greed  may  become 
their  final  destruction,  as  they  cannot  so  readily  detect  poisoned 
meat,  which  has  been  one  effective  method  of  reducing  their 
numbers. 

Although  varying  considerably  with  location  in  respect  to  both 
color  and  size,  they  may  safely  be  termed  small  in  comparison  with 
other  wolves,  as  the  usual  length  is  between  forty  and  fifty  inches. 
Because  the  hair  is  longer  and  thicker,  and  the  tail  more  bushy,  this 
difference  is  easily  underestimated,  and  with  the  tawny  coat  mixed 
with  black  and  white  above,  the  whitish  shading  below  and  the 
black  tipped  tail,  they  are  never  unattractive.  The  fur,  although 
soft  and  fairly  luxuriant,  is  of  too  poor  a  quality  to  bring  a  high 
price,  but  is  used,  to  a  certain  extent,  in  the  manufacture  of  lap- 
robes,  coats  and  gloves. 

97 


RED  FOX 

Vulpes  fulvus. 

The  red  fox  is  the  most  typical  of  North  American  foxes ;  well- 
known,  widely-distributed,  of  several  color  phases,  and  always  with 
the  proverbial  cunning  of  his  kind.  His  range  extends  throughout 
North  America  from  the  Arctic  Circle  south  to  Virginia  and  his 
coat  of  reddish  yellow  varies  somewhat  with  the  location,  being 
lightest  in  the  desert  regions  and  darkest  in  the  forests  and  its  more 
northerly  range.  Besides  his  general  coloring,  other  distinguishing 
marks  are  the  grizzled  appearance  of  the  hind  parts  of  the  back, 
the  white  throat,  the  white  on  the  under  parts  of  the  body  and  the 
white  tip  of  the  tail.  The  tail  is  about  one-third  of  the  whole 
length,  measuring  about  thirteen  inches  while  the  body  itself  is  but 
twenty-four.  The  weight  of  an  adult  will  vary  from  seven  to  fif- 
teen pounds,  averaging  about  ten  pounds. 

99 


Because  of  his  ability  to  look  out  for  himself,  his  numbers  are 
increasing  and  very  probably  he  finds  man  to-day  a  far  less  deadly 
foe  than  the  large  wild  beasts  in  the  past.  For  a  home,  the  fox 
has  a  burrow  where  the  five  to  eight  young  are  born  each  spring, 
but  he  prefers  to  spend  most  of  his  time  in  the  open.  From  some 
lurking-place  he  goes  forth  to  seek  his  prey,  which  may  be  a  rab- 
bit, woodchuck,  rats  or  mice,  or,  if  fortune  favors  him,  a  tender 
chicken  or  young  duck.  If  he  lives  near  the  shore  he  may  "go  fish- 
ing" at  low  water  for  crabs  and  other  sea  food.  His  excursions 
usually  take  place  at  night  and  it  is  a  frequent  custom  for  the 
marauder  to  scurry  back  as  soon  as  his  booty  is  secured  and  devour 
it  in  his  den. 

For  ages  "wise  as  a  fox"  has  been  a  proverb  and  this  mem- 
ber of  the  family  keeps  up  the  traditional  reputation.  Especially 
does  he  show  his  wit,  when  hunted,  where  the  odds  are  decidedly 
against  him,  his  cleverness  at  escaping  horses  and  hounds  has  been 

100 


sufficient  to  keep  the  sport  popular  for  generations.  Feigning  to  be 
dead,  lying  prostrate  on  a  steep  slope  in  the  expectation  that  the 
hounds  will  rush  past  him  in  their  headlong  speed,  tempting  them 
to  follow  him  over  thin  ice,  strong  enough  for  him,  but  too  frail 
for  them;  these  are  but  suggestions  of  his  many  stratagems.  Per- 
haps the  most  amusing  of  these  tricks  is  his  habit  of  baffling  the 
hunter  by  some  false  move  and,  after  cunningly  making  a  detour 
to  some  point  behind  his  would-be  pursuer,  he  follows  at  a  safe 
distance,  as  if  laughing  at  the  joke. 

There  are  two  color  variations  of  the  red  fox,  known  as  the 
"cross  fox'1  and  the  black  or  silver  fox.  The  fur  of  these  two  and 
also  of  the  red  fox  itself  are  much  prized,  that  of  the  black  and  silver 
variety  being  the  most  valuable  of  any  pelts  and  together  the  three 
form  an  important  article  of  our  export  trade. 


101 


BLACK  FOX 

Vulpes  fitlvus  argentatus. 

The  black  fox  is  a  slightly  more  northern  variety  of  the  red  fox 
species,  being  found  from  Alaska  to  Manitoba  and  occasionally  far- 
ther south,  although  rare  throughout  its  range.  In.  the  typical  form 
it  is  also  known  as  the  "silver  fox,"  both  from  the  snow  white  tip 
of  the  tail  and  from  the  white  tips  on  the  black  fur  and  the  more 
grizzled  appearance  of  the  hind  parts.  As  it  occurs,  however,  in 
the  same  range  as  the  cross  fox  and  mixes  freely  with  the  latter, 
there  are  numerous  variations  from  the  type  and  sometimes  even  an 
entirely  gray  or  wholly  black  specimen  is  found. 

For  centuries  genuine  black  fox  fur  has  been  esteemed  among 
the  three  or  four  most .  valuable  ones.  Kings  and  queens  have 
placed  upon  it  their  sanction  as  the  only  fur  that  will  retain  gold 

103 


tipping  upon  its  hairs  and  so  alone  fitted  for  their  adornment. 
Wealth  and  discrimination  everywhere  have  followed  their  de- 
crees and  because  of  the  demand  thus  created  there  arose  a  new  in- 
dustry some  twenty-five  years  ago,  namely  the  raising  of  foxes  for 
the  profits  from  their  skins.  The  fact  that  millions  of  dollars  are 
at  present  represented  by  the  development  of  this  venture  seems  to 
justify  us  in  considering  the  black  fox  from  a  commercial  point  of 
view. 

The  important  truth  at  the  basis  of  the  whole  undertaking  is 
that  the  world's  supply  of  furs  from  wild  creatures  in  a  natural 
state  must  decrease.  This  needs  no  further  argument  than  ref- 
erences to  the  Russian  sable,  the  Alaskan  seal,  the  slaughter  of 
both  of  these  being  now  curtailed  by  law,  and  the  sea  otter,  which  is 
practically  extinct.  In  our  country  a  little  more  than  the  lifetime 
of  one  generation  has  witnessed  a  noteworthy  disappearance  of  many 
of  the  smaller  fur  bearers,  who  were  formerly  not  uncommon,  and 

104 


this  must  constantly  happen  as  their  hiding  places  make  way  for 
towns  and  cities. 

The  promoters  of  the  fox  farms  realize  this  and  their  first  in- 
terest has  been  to  secure  the  sure  perpetuation  of  a  prolific  stand- 
ard type.  For  this  guaranteed  pairs  bring  as  high  as  from  twenty  to 
forty  thousand  dollars  for  pure  black  foxes  for  breeding.  The 
London  market,  which  is  the  center  of  the  world  fur  trade,  esti- 
mates that  it  could  dispose  of  five  thousand  pure  pelts  from  such 
sources  yearly,  without  lowering  the  prevailing  price,  which  ranges 
from  an  average  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  an  ordinary  skin,  to 
fifteen  hundred  or  more  for  prime  and  exceptionally  perfect  skins. 
The  years  that  must  pass  before  any  such  number  can  possibly  be 
furnished,  assure  investors  that  there  is  no  danger  of  the  market 
becoming  overstocked. 


105 


in| 


ARCTIC  FOX 

Vulpes  lag  opus. 

A  very  interesting  animal  is  this  inhabitant  of  the  far  north, 
who  rarely  is  found  south  of  the  Canadian  line,  and  who  changes  his 
coloring  with  changes  of  season  or  of  place.  In  the  middle  portion 
of  his  range  he  is  bluish  brown  in  summer  and  pure  white  in  win- 
ter, while  in  the  extreme  north  he  keeps  his  snowy  covering  through- 
out the  year  and  when  found  farthest  south  is  known  as  the  "Blue 
Fox"  because  of  his  unvarying  coat  of  blue.  These  differences  are 
a  remarkable  illustration  of  the  ways  and  means  by  which  nature 
contrives  to  protect  and  preserve  creatures  who,  on  account  of  cli- 
matic or  other  adverse  conditions,  seem  unusually  prone  to  extinc- 
tion. The  Arctic  fox  is  also  provided  with  an  underfur  next  his 
skin  as  an  additional  protection  against  the  coldest  weather,  shed- 

107 


ding  this  at  the  approach  of  spring.  In  length  he  measures  about 
three  feet  and  is  unlike  others  of  his  family  in  having  less  pointed 
ears  and  muzzle,  while,  as  a  convenience  for  his  slippery  journeys 
over  ice  and  snow,  his  feet  are  shod  with  a  thick  woolly  covering  of 
hair. 

Like  his  giant  neighbor,  the  walrus,  this  northern  resident  is 
fond  of  company  and  the  burrows  are  dug  in  communities  of  twenty 
or  more  in  one  suitable  sandy  spot.  During  the  warm  season  the 
colony  is  in  no  danger  of  want,  as  the  chief  food  supply  of  birds, 
birds'  eggs  and  the  rat-like  lemmings,  peculiar  to  the  north,  is  to  be 
found  in  abundance;  but  with  the  migration  of  the  birds  and  the 
approach  of  the  death-dealing  cold  of  winter,  this  fox  would  fare 
hard  had  not  his  natural  cunning  taught  him  to  provide  a  supply  of 
lemmings,  caught  when  fat  and  plentiful.  These  he  has  buried  a 
few  inches  beneath  the  surface,  where  the  temperature  is  low  enough 
to  preserve  them,  and  on  them  he  must  now  depend.  At  this  time 

108 


the  younger  members  of  the  tribe  travel  southward,  thus  serving  the 
double  purpose  of  lessening  the  number  to  be  supported  and  also 
training  themselves  for  the  fortunes  of  life  and  of  war. 

Crafty  this  creature  is  in  the  matter  of  securing  a  livelihood, 
but  he  is  less  clever  than  most  of  his  kind  in  avoiding  the  traps 
of  human  ingenuity.  We  sometimes  wonder  whether  this  unsus- 
picious disposition  is  not  due  rather  to  lack  of  acquaintance  with 
the  new  enemy  than  to  any  inferiority  of  wits.  Be  this  as  it  may,  he 
is  easily  caught  and  furnishes  no  small  revenue  because  of  his  valu- 
able fur.  The  white  phase  is  prized  most  highly,  although  the  pelt 
in  any  coloring  brings  a  good  figure.  The  experiment  of  raising 
these  foxes  for  commercial  purposes  is  being  tried  on  some  of  the 
islands  off  the  Alaskan  coast  and  at  present  promises  to  be  a 
successful  venture. 


109 


GRAY  FOX 

Urocyon  cinereoargenteus. 

Although  it  may  be  found  as  far  north  as  Massachusetts  and 
New  York,  the  gray,  or  Virginian  fox,  is  as  the  second  name  implies, 
the  fox  of  the  southern  United  States.  For  several  reasons  this 
species  is  more  dependent  upon  the  forests  than  the  northern  vari- 
ety and  does  not  take  kindly  to  remaining  in  the  vicinity  of  cultivated 
lands.  In  the  first  place  it  prefers  to  find  a  home  for  its  young  in 
the  hollow  of  a  stump,  tree,  or  log,  rather  than  the  burrow  which 
seems  more  satisfactory  to  the  red  fox.  Then,  while  endowed  with 
much  natural  trickery  and  slyness,  it  apparently  has  not  the  same 
capacity  for  premeditated  shrewdness  and  is  more  easily  outwitted 
by  its  human  foes.  As  it  lacks  the  bold  fearlessness  which  charac- 
terizes its  ofttimes  too  familiar  thievish  cousin,  the  wooded  tracts 

in 


afford  grateful  seclusion  and  protection.  Possibly  a  trifle  inferior  to 
some  of  its  kind  in  speed  and  endurance,  it  excels  at  climbing  trees, 
although  this  ability  may  at  times  prove  a  doubtful  advantage  if 
tempted  to  use  it,  an  unlucky  fugitive  grows  weary  of  his  flight  for 
safety  and  places  himself  in  a  fine  position  to  be  shot. 

Fortunately,  the  power  of  self-preservation  bestowed  upon  this 
small  creature,  which  appears  so  unequal  to  the  marvelous  cunning 
of  others  of  his  tribe,  are  offset  by  the  fact  that  his  body,  while 
but  little  shorter,  as  it  measures  about  thirty-nine  inches,  is  more 
slender  and  may  thus  far  less  quickly  attract  attention.  Further- 
more, the  gray  coloring  above,  shading  into  a  rusty  red  on  the  sides 
and  yellowish  white  underneath,  renders  a  very  inconspicuous  hint 
of  his  presence.  The  same  indistinction  of  coloring  aids  indirectly 
to  safeguard  its  wearer  by  being  valued  the  least  of  any  fox  fur, 
consequently  does  not  bring  a  high  enough  price  to  ever  encourage 
his  pursuit. 

112 


As  the  peculiar  sign  of  his  species,  the  gray  fox  adds  to  the 
bushy  appearance  of  fox  tails  in  general  a  contribution  of  his  own, 
for  a  ridge  of  coarse  long  hairs  grow  out  in  a  perfectly  erect  posi- 
tion from  the  upper  surface  of  this  appendage,  giving  it  an  unusually 
bristly  effect.  At  the  root  of  the  tail,  as  is  the  case  with  all  but  the 
Arctic  members  of  the  family,  are  glands  containing  a  secretion 
which  emits  a  strong  and  unpleasant  odor,  very  penetrating  and 
lasting.  This  is  the  means  by  which  hounds  are  enabled  to  keep  the 
trail  of  a  fox  long  after  he  has  disappeared  from  view  and  the 
fox  himself,  seeming  to  realize  this,  uses  every  trick  he  knows  to 
break  the  line  of  scent  and  so  throw  his  pursuers  off  his  track. 
Other  animals,  especially  cats  and  horses,  have  shown  unmistakably 
their  dislike  for  this  smell  by  their  unwillingness  to  enter  enclosures 
tainted  with  it. 


113 


SABLE  or  MARTEN 

Mustela    aincricana. 

In  the  days  when  the  first  trappers  roamed  the  wilderness  of 
what  is  now  Canada  and  the  northern  United  States,  the  American 
sable  was  so  numerous  that  the  skins  were  annually  exported  by  the 
thousands.  To-day  because  of  the  high  value  then  set  upon  their 
rich  brown  fur  with  its  remarkably  fine  texture,  its  soft  downy 
warmth  and  the  beauty  of  its  gloss,  these  animals,  who  are  more 
properly  called  martens,  are  rare  everywhere  throughout  their 
range.  Had  they  not  been  aided  in  their  unequal  conquest  with  man 
by  natural  shyness  and  unusual  powers  of  reproduction,  they  would 
probably  long  since  have  become  practically  extinct.  As  it  is,  they 
withdraw  as  far  as  possible  from  civilization  into  mountainous 

115 


regions  or  heavily  timbered  forests,  especially  preferring  the  ever- 
greens, whence  the  name  "pine  marten"  is  sometimes  applied  to 
them.  Fortunately  like  the  mink,  they  are  fully  competent  to  cope 
with  any  wild  enemy  they  may  find  in  these  haunts,  and  once 
freed  from  the  plots  of  human  ingenuity,  lead  a  very  comfortable 
life. 

Although  they  measure  but  seventeen  inches  in  length,  without 
the  bushy  seven-inch  tail,  yet  these  four-footed  creatures  seem 
far  too  big  for  the  dwelling  they  often  select,  which  is  none  other 
than  a  hole  high  up  in  some  tree.  It  may  be  just  a  hollow  in  the 
trunk  or  the  deserted  nest  of  some  large  bird  or  squirrel,  but  it 
must  be  cozily  lined  with  moss,  grass  and  dry  leaves  before  the  new 
tenants  feel  perfectly  at  home.  Occasionally  a  household  may  be 
established  in  the  crevice  of  a  rock,  but  even  then  much  of  the  time 
will  be  spent  running  gracefully  up  and  down  the  tree  trunks,  or 
lurking  among  the  branches  with  silent  furred  feet  and  all  ready  to 

116 


pounce  swiftly  out  on  any  unwary  squirrel  or  bird  who  may  chance 
to  pass  that  way. 

The  marten,  however,  is  by  no  means  confined  to  one  manner 
of  getting  his  living.  Besides  his  still-hunting,  he  may  any  day  en- 
joy the  more  active  and  sportsmanlike  manner  of  following  the 
scent  of  a  hare  when  his  keen  sense  of  smell  and  a  combined  policy 
of  watchfulness  and  persistent  pursuit  usually  outwits  the  mere 
speed  of  his  miscalculating  victim  and  secures  him  the  prize.  Then 
there  are  always  rats,  mice  and  snakes  to  be  had  for  the  taking  which 
with  the  capture  of  a  game  fowl  now  and  then  may  seem  sufficient 
variety  to  satisfy  a  most  discriminating  taste. 

FISHER  (Mustela  pennanti)  is  a  larger  and  heavier  form  of 
marten,  measuring  thirty  inches  or  more  in  length.  Its  habits  are 
much  the  same,  but  its  increase  in  strength  and  ferocity  is  much 
greater  in  proportion,  even  with  its  increase  in  size.  The  fur  is  con- 
sidered as  about  twice  the  value  of  the  marten. 

117 


MINK 

Put  or  ins  vis  on. 

Few  animals  are  given  as  many  and  as  diversified  powers  both 
for  getting  a  living  and  for  self-preservation  as  fall  to  the  lot  of  the 
mink,  who  is  still  to  be  found  not  infrequently  throughout  North 
America,  excepting  in  the  extreme  north  and  south.  Equally  fit- 
ted for  quickness,  whether  on  land  or  in  the  water,  is  the  long,  slen- 
der and  supple  shape  and  equally  does  he  divide  his  time  between 
the  two,  with  a  slight  preference,  perhaps,  for  the  latter,  seeing  that 
it  offers  safer  quarters  and  more  easily  captured  food.  He  has* 
spread  before  him,  for  most  of  the  year,  an  exceptionally  varied  bill 
of  fare,  without  the  trouble  of  hunting  at  all,  he  may  regale  him- 
self on  mussels,  various  shellfish  and  even  dead  fish  cast  up  along 
shore.  Most  fond  of  diving  and  swimming,  he  is  seldom  unable 

119 


to  procure  a  meal  of  good  fresh  fish,  caught  right  at  his  own  door 
in  the  pond  or  stream  beside  which  he  has  chosen  to  dwell. 

Then,  in  the  marshlands  near  his  home,  he  may,  at  short 
notice,  pick  out  the  plumpest  wild  duck  and  the  most  tender  of 
frogs  and  meadow  mice,  or,  going  out  of  the  swamp,  up  into  the 
woods,  find  great  sport  in  the  sly  chase  of  a  partridge  or  grouse, 
where  his  keen  sense  of  smell  and  quickness  of  movement  are 
most  of  all  displayed.  To  be  sure  in  winter  the  choice  may  be  more 
limited,  but  yet  there  are  always  rabbits  to  be  had  by  this  knowing 
little  hunter  and  usually  an  opening  somewhere  along  the  bank  to 
tadmit  him  to  his  favorite  fishing  grounds  under  the  ice. 

All  in  all,  we  fancy  that  few  wild  creatures  have  more  chance 
for  real  enjoyment  than  does  this  active,  strong  and  wonderfully 
versatile  animal.  Especially  to  be  congratulated  is  he  that  each  of 
his  haunts  holds  a  peculiar  place  of  refuge  as  well  as  a  food  sup- 
ply. To  escape  danger  he  may  dart  behind  a  log  and  down  into 

120 


the  water,  slip  his  slim  form  into  any  cranny  big  enough  for  a 
rat,  or  scuttle  quickly  away  among  the  grasses,  up  a  tree,  or  out  of 
sight  under  the  leaves. 

Small  fear  need  he  have  of  the  enemies  of  his  own  wild  sort, 
but  the  valuable  covering  of  the  nineteen-inch  body  and  the  seven- 
inch,  thick,  round  tail  make  him  well  worth  taking  by  human  foes 
and  even  the  able  mink  falls  a  prey  in  large  numbers  to  their  de- 
ceiving traps.  The  fur,  varying  in  color  from  a  yellowish  brown 
to  a  very  dark  brown,  is  esteemed  highly  for  the  glossiness  of  the 
outer  long  hairs  and  the  soft  warmth  of  the  underfur.  Alaska  fur-* 
nishes  the  best  quality,  but  wherever  found  the  darker  shades  al- 
ways command  a  good  market  value.  Those  skins  which  are  taken 
in  the  southern  and  through  the  middle  west  are  usually  much 
lighter  in  color  and  of  far  less  value. 


121 


BADGER 

Taxidea  taxus. 

This  odd  looking  beast  who  seldom  ventures  out  by  day,  and 
who  if  surprised  by  being  discovered  on  those  rare  occasions  when 
he  does,  simply  spreads  out  his  broad  flat  body  as  closely  to  the 
ground  as  possible,  trusting  with  good  reason  to  be  taken  for  nothing 
more  interesting  than  a  hummock  of  grass.  Is  fairly  common,  if  not 
often  seen,  from  Yukon  south  to  Mexico  and  Texas,  and  east  to  the 
Great  Lakes.  The  cautious  disposition  which  leads  this  clumsy 
creature  to  defer  his  journeys  abroad  until  after  dark  is  a  great 
aid  to  the  preservation  and  increase  of  his  kind,  as  is  also  the  fact 
that  his  long  sharp  teeth  possess  the  peculiar  power  of  locking  them- 
selves into  any  enemy  upon  whom  they  once  get  a  grip. 

As  he  is  some  two  feet  in  length,  he  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the 

123 


ground  dwellers  and  so  comparatively  safe  from  their  attacks  as 
well  as  provided  with  abundant  food  from  their  number.  With  his 
short,  but  extremely  strong  front  limbs  and  his  big  curved  claws  he 
can  make  his  way  into  any  of  their  holes  faster  than  they  can  hope 
to  escape  and  lives  at  his  ease  upon  the  prairie  dogs,  ground  squirrels 
and  field  mice  he  thus  unearths.  Nor  does  he  at  all  scorn  still 
smaller  fare,  such  as  beetles,  grasshoppers,  snails  or  worms,  while 
wild  bees  and  wasps  are  an  especial  dainty,  to  whose  vain  stings  his 
long  dense  hair  and  thick  hide  offer  an  impenetrable  shield. 

For  his  own  home  he  must  tunnel  out  a  much  larger  space  than 
that  occupied  by  most  of  his  neighbors,  which,  to  be  sure,  may  betray 
him  to  the  trapper  by  its  difference  in  size,  but  also,  at  least  in 
earlier  days  when  whole  tribes  of  badgers  lived  near  together  in 
sandy  soil,  has  proved  treacherous  footing  for  many  an  unwary 
traveler.  Inside  of  the  burrow  will  be  made  a  carefully  lined  nest 
of  dried  grass,  and  here,  too,  will  be  stored  a  quantity  of  dried  grass 

124 


and  sedges,  rolled  up  into  hard,  tight  balls,  as  food  for  the  mother 
and  the  three  or  four  little  badgers  who  are  to  arrive  in  due  season. 
In  the  same  warm  underground  chamber  the  family  will  pass  the 
cold  winter,  but  as  they  are  fat  and  well  nourished  when  they  en- 
ter, they  spend  most  of  this  time  in  sound  motionless  sleep,  with  no 
thought  or  need  of  food,  and  somehow  manage  to  come  out  in  the 
spring  still  sleek  and  in  good  condition. 

The  silkiness  of  the  heavy  covering  of  this  animal  and  the 
striking  appearance  of  the  distinctly  marked  black  and  white  head 
give  the  fur  a  fair  market  value,  although  the  grizzled  gray  coloring, 
shading  into  a  tawny  or  russet  with  an  irregular  mottled  blackish 
effect  above  rather  detract  from  its  richness. 


125 


WOLVERINE  or  GLUTTON 

Gulo  luscus. 

With  shaggy  coat,  big  broad  flat  paws  covered  with  thick 
hair  and  a  strong  heavily  built  frame,  the  wolverine  is  well  fitted 
for  his  wandering  life  in  a  northern  range,  which,  beginning  at  the 
limit  of  trees,  extends  to  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  although  he  is  ex- 
tremely rare  south  of  northern  New  York.  Bearing  the  unenviable 
reputation  of  the  worst  thief  in  all  the  animal  world,  he  is  known 
as  "mountain  devil"  to  the  Indian  and  trapper,  whose  supplies,  how- 
ever well  hidden,  are  often  ferreted  out  by  his  most  acute  sense 
of  smell  and  whose  traps  he  considers  his  own  property,  emptying 
them  of  their  contents  at  his  pleasure  and  not  infrequently  lugging 
off  the  trap  as  well  as  the  bait  and  game.  He  is  also  called  "carca- 
jou." 

127 


Another  name,  given  to  him  in  the  northwest,  is  hardly  more 
complimentary,  being  "skunk  bear"  and  suggested  alike  by  his 
bear  like  clumsiness,  the  low  hanging  posture  of  his  head  and  tail, 
and  the  foul  odor  with  which  he  soils  any  food  which  he  cannot 
consume,  thus  rendering  it  worthless  to  any  other  creature.  For, 
in  spite  of  the  greedy  and  gorging  nature,  which  has  caused  him  to 
be  everywhere  called  "glutton,"  he  often  finds  it  impossible  to  de- 
vour all  he  has  killed,  since  his  mad  passion  for  plunder  has  no  limit 
whatsoever. 

Although  he  retains  some  of  the  quick  and  elastic  freedom  of 
movement  characteristic  of  the  weasel  family  to  which  he  is  distantly 
related,  his  bulky  form  and  covering  make  long  continued  running 
or  climbing  rather  too  much  of  an  exertion  so  he  has  become  pro- 
ficient in  the  art  of  prowling  and  tramping.  Unwearied  at  this  style 
of  hunting  is  he,  keeping  it  up  day  in  and  day  out,  and,  by  the  aid 
of  sullen  shrewdness  and  his  wonderfully  developed  power  of  scent. 

128 


slaughters  enormous  quantities  of  the  helpless  young  of  other  ani- 
mals, and  many  of  the  smaller  quadrupeds  themselves,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  wild  fowl  and  other  birds,  rats,  mice,  reptiles  and  insects. 

The  blackish  brown  body  of  the  wolverine  is  marked  with  two 
bands  of  a  lighter  shade  of  yellowish  brown,  one  running  from 
either  shoulder  down  over  the  flank  and  meeting  the  other  at  the 
base  of  the  bushy  tail.  In  length  they  measure  from  thirty  to 
thirty-six  inches,  of  which  the  tail  is  from  eight  to  ten  inches.  For 
a  home  they  dig  a  burrow  in  the  ground,  in  which,  usually  during 
June,  their  four  or  five  young  are  born.  While  not  taken  in  such 
large  numbers  as  are  the  martens  and  fishers,  they  are  persistently 
hunted  by  the  trappers.  Most  cleverly  planned  and  concealed  must 
be  the  device  to  catch  them.  Their  fur,  while  much  longer,  is  con- 
sidered of  more  value  than  either  of  the  above. 


129 


WEASEL  or  ERMINE 

Putorius  novel*  or  acensis. 

The  weasel,  among  whose  fifteen  species  are  included  some  of 
the  smallest  carnivora  in  existence,  is  common  throughout  North 
America.  In  actual  length  they  may  vary  all  the  way  from  six  to 
sixteen  inches,  but  all  have  such  insignificant  bodies  and  such  blood- 
thirsty temperaments  that  the  contrast  affords  the  most  striking 
characteristic  of  the  whole  family.  A  peculiarity  of  this  family  is 
the  tendency  for  the  general  reddish  brown  color  which  it  wears  in 
summer  to  turn  white  during  the  winter,  this  change  being  more 
marked  in  the  species  farther  north.  In  this  white  phase  they  are 
called  "Ermine"  and  their  fur  is  considered  as  most  valuable  for 
trimming  or  linings,  being  used  with  the  highest  priced  furs. 

The  one  here  chosen  as  a  type,  as  do  several  others,  keep  the 

131 


tip  of  the  tail  black  all  the  year  round,  which  seems  at  first  thought 
an  apparent  oversight  on  Nature's  part  and  doomed  to  attract  un- 
wished-for  attention  to  its  wearer,  but  it  has  just  the  opposite 
effect;  namely,  to  disguise  the  whereabouts  of  the  rest  of  the  ani- 
mal by  its  own  conspicuousness.  Doubly  possible  does  this  result 
become  when  we  take  into  account  the  elasticity  of  the  slender 
form  which  may  lie  in  any  direction  whatsoever  from  the  very 
prominent  tail. 

It  is,  first  of  all,  to  this  elasticity  that  the  ferocious  creature 
is  indebted  for  his  marvelous  ability  as  a  hunter.  Because  of  it  he 
can  work  his  way  into  any  burrow,  no  matter  how  small  the  en- 
trance, or  how  complicated  and  numerous  the  passageways,  and  can 
follow  the  smallest  of  his  prey  in  its  windings  through  the  nar- 
rowest crack  or  crevice.  Another  weapon  of  hardly  second  impor- 
tance is  his  highly  developed  sense  of  smell,  which  both  locates  his 
victim  for  him  at  the  start  and  enables  him  to  keep  its  trail  in  the 

132 


pursuit.  In  addition  to  these  two  physical  qualifications,  there  is 
the  desire  to  kill  for  killing's  own  sake,  to  which  testimony  is  often 
borne  by  the  number  of  untouched  dead  left  behind  him,  and  his 
fearless  courage  which  apparently  has  nothing  but  contempt  for  the 
size  or  strength  of  a  larger  foe. 

Besides  mice,  rats,  ground  squirrels,  the  eggs  and  young  of 
birds  and  other  such  proportionate  booty,  he  never  hesitates  to 
pounce  upon  rabbits,  ducks,  chickens  and  game  fowl,  and  fastening 
his  sharp  teeth  together  with  a  fatal  snap,  sucks  their  blood  in 
savage  satisfaction,  or  in  still  more  savage  glee  leaves  them  as 
mute  memorials  of  his  prowess.  Even  to  the  presence  of  man  he 
manifests  supreme  indifference,  and  if  cornered  or  trapped  will  fight 
as  long  as  life  remains. 


133 


t; . 


JL 


BEAVER 

Castor  canadensis. 

Although  formerly,  widely  distributed  throughout  North  Amer- 
ica, the  beaver  has  been  hunted  so  persistently  that  he  is  now  prac- 
tically extinct  except  in  the  northeastern  part.  His  value  consists 
in  a  beautiful  soft  thick  grayish  brown  underfur,  which  remains 
after  the  long  chestnut-colored  hairs  have  been  removed  and  is 
highly  prized  for  ladies'  coats,  hats,  fur  trimmings,  etc.  While 
he  is  one  of  the  largest  of  our  rodents,  measuring  about  forty  inches, 
including  the  ten-inch  paddle-shaped  tail  so  useful  to  him  in  swim- 
ming, he  is  best  known,  not  by  his  size,  but  by  his  skill  in  building 
the  dams,  which  take  first  rank  among  all  feats  performed  in  the 
animal  world. 

The  purpose  of  these  great  dams,  which  may  reach  several 

135 


hundred  feet  in  length,  is  to  protect  the  home  of  the  builders  by 
keeping  the  water  deep  enough  to  cover  the  entrance.  This  home 
is  usually  a  burrow  in  the  bank  and,  as  the  dyke  causes  the  water 
to  rise  around  and  about  it,  the  height  is  increased  and  the  struc- 
ture strengthened  by  poles  and  mud,  until  the  typical  "Beaver 
Lodge''  results  rather  from  the  flooding  due  to  the  dam  than  from 
any  deliberate  plan.  To  find  material  these  industrious  creatures 
must  often  fell  trees,  frequently  a  foot  in  diameter,  which  they  do 
by  gnawing  parallel  grooves  around  the  trunk  and  chiseling  out  the 
wood  between  with  their  strong  sharp  teeth,  then  gnawing  other 
circles  deeper  in  and  repeating  the  process  until  the  tree  falls,  usual- 
ly into  the  water.  At  once  they  begin  to  trim  off  the  branches,  the 
bark  of  which  furnishes  them  with  their  chief  food,  many  of  them 
being  fastened  under  water  for  their  winter's  supply.  Next,  the 
wood  is  cut  into  lengths  of  from  three  to  five  feet  and  dragged  to 
the  edge  of  the  stream,  from  which  it  may  easily  be  floated  to  the 


136 


appointed  place.  The  construction  is  most  cleverly  contrived,  the 
larger  logs  being  held  firmly  together  by  smaller  twigs  and  mud 
plastered  down  so  securely  with  the  fore  feet  as  to  make  the  dam 
absolutely  water-tight.  It  is  widest  at  the  base  where  the  pressure  is 
the  greatest,  and,  if  the  current  is  strong,  may  present  a  convex  sur- 
face to  break  the  force  of  the  water.  During  the  fall  each  year  it  is 
thoroughly  inspected  and  the  weak  spots  reinforced  against  the  com- 
ing storms.  The  greater  portion  of  the  beaver's  labor  is  performed 
at  night  and  the  amount  of  work  accomplished  as  well  as  its  dura- 
bility prove  him  possessed  of  industry  and  skill  second  to  none  of 
the  wild  creatures,  and  possibly  superior  to  any  other  of  them. 


137 


MUSKRAT 

Fiber  zibethicus. 

The  muskrat  is  common  both  east  and  west  from  Alaska  to 
Louisiana,  being  one  of  the  fur  animals  who  reap  a  benefit  from 
improvements  due  to  civilization.  No  sooner  is  an  area  newly 
flooded,  whether  it  be  by  damming  back  a  stream  for  some  manu- 
facturing plant,  or  in  the  construction  of  a  reservoir  for  a  great 
city,  or  merely  to  form  an  artificial  pond  or  ornamental  lake,  than  a 
colony  of  muskrats  appear,  all  ready  to  take  possession.  They  are 
perhaps  quite  as  safe  near  human  habitations  as  they  were  in  the 
days  when  the  uncleared  forests  held  for  them  so  many  foes. 

They  are  trapped  in  immense  numbers  throughout  the  country 
and  their  fur  is  one  of  the  most  used  and  yet  has  a  market  value 
the  lowest  of  any  of  the  fur  bearers  quoted.  Unlike  most  of  our 

139 


distinctively  native  animals,  the  muskrat  retains,  even  in  popular 
usage,  the  name  by  which  the  Indians  called  him,  ''musquash,"  and 
whatever  the  strict  meaning  may  be,  its  sound  surely  suggests  this 
big  rat  diving  down  into  the  marshy  pool,  swishing  along  through 
the  soft  mud,  or  flapping  his  stiff  scaly  tail  among  the  rushes  as  a 
warning  to  his  mates. 

His  body  tells  us  where  nature  intended  him  to  live,  for  with  its 
dark  brown  upper  parts  shading  into  reddish  on  the  sides  and  white 
underneath,  it  could  never  be  distinguished  except  by  motion  from 
the  miry  swamp  where  it  looks  like  nothing  but  a  mere  lump  of 
mud.  We  do  not  usually  think  of  rats  as  water  lovers,  but  this 
one  enjoys  best  his  existence  when  lazily  floating  about  in  the 
sunny  warmth  of  some  shallow  pool,  or  on  hot  summer  days  in  the 
cool  little  inlets  beneath  overhanging  branches. 

He  is  an  excellent  swimmer,  for  while  his  feet  are  only  par- 
tially webbed,  his  naked  flat  tail  is  curiously  carried  on  edge  and 


140 


does  good  service  as  both  propeller  and  rudder.  On  land  his  short 
legs  soon  weary  of  supporting  his  plump  body,  which  measures  about 
twelve  inches,  while  the  tail  is  of  about  the  same  length.  He  is  a 
sturdy  little  fellow,  and  if  there  seems  to  him  sufficient  reason  he 
may  wander  a  considerable  distance  from  his  favorite  stream. 

He  is  peculiarly  blessed  with  the  ability  to  make  for  himself 
either  or  both  of  two  distinct  types  of  dwelling.  If  the  body  of 
water  near  which  he  lives  has  a  high  bank,  he  will  dig  into  this 
from  under  water  for  some  ten  feet,  sloping  the  burrow  upward, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  passage  open  up  a  fine  spacious  room.  If  in 
lowlands  he  with  several  others  may  build  of  weeds,  sticks,  etc.,  a 
large  pile  of  rubbish,  within  which  they  have  a  room  above  the 
water  line. 


141 


OTTER 

Lutra  canadensis. 

Well  known  to  the  early  settlers  of  North  America  and  by  them 
regarded  as  an  important  article  for  trade,  the  otter  has  paid  a  dear 
price  for  his  handsome  skin  and  to-day  is  found  but  rarely,  al- 
though, nominally,  his  range  still  extends  from  Alaska  and  Canada, 
through  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  on  the  west  and  New  York 
and  Pennsylvania  on  the  east,  to  the  Carolinas  and  Florida.  The 
rich  brown  fur,  in  addition  to  a  wonderful  gloss  and  silkiness  of 
texture,  possesses,  when  at  its  best  from  November  to  spring,  such 
a  beautiful  downy  thickness  that,  although  designed  by  nature  for 
his  protection,  it  has  proved  the  source  of  his  greatest  danger  be- 
cause of  its  high  commercial  value.  In  common  with  most  of  his 
other  features,  it  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  his  water-loving  habits 

143 


and  consists  of  an  outer  layer  of  long  coarse  hair  to  shed  water 
and  so  to  further  his  progress  through  the  stream,  and  an  under- 
layer  of  fine  soft  fur  to  prevent  the  excessive  cold  from  benumbing 
his  frame  during  his  long  winter  stay  beneath  the  icy  surface. 

His  whole  appearance,  indeed,  shows  how  thoroughly  the 
otter  is  fitted  for  his  life  as  a  fisher.  His  body,  measuring  three 
and  a  half  or  four  feet,  is  slim  and  of  equal  width  from  the  flat  head 
to  the  base  of  the  long  broad  tail,  which  is  also  flat  and  of  great 
convenience  as  a  rudder,  while  his  shapelessness  is  just  the  form  he 
needs  for  his  activities  under  water.  His  legs  are  not  long  enough 
to  be  at  all  in  his  way,  while  his  webbed  feet  are  the  best  possible 
device  to  propel  him  in  his  travels.  In  search  for  food  he  may 
either  dive  directly  upon  the  unsuspecting  victim  or  pursue  it  in  its 
course,  darting  in  and  out,  up  and  down,  in  true  fish-fashion  and 
usually  beating  the  fish  at  its  own  game.  He  is  a  hunter  for  sport's 
sake  as  well  as  for  necessity  and  slays  far  more  prey  than  he  con- 

144 


sumes,  often  satisfying  his  dainty  palate  with  one  bite  from  the 
favorite  portion  and  leaving  the  rest  which  sometimes  is  not  de- 
spised by  his  human  neighbors.  His  teeth  are  exceptionally  strong 
and  sharp  to  give  him  a  firm  hold  of  his  slippery  booty  and  his  skill 
at  catching  fish  is  in  such  repute  that  he  is  actually  kept  for  that 
purpose  in  some  Oriental  countries.  The  task  of  training  him  is  not 
difficult,  as  he  is  easily  tamed,  quickly  understands  what  is  expected 
of  him  and  soon  becomes  attached  to  his  owner. 

Although  essentially  water-creatures,  otters  do  not  hesitate  to 
make  land- journeys  from  one  river  to  another,  going  in  family  par- 
ties and  following  well-defined  tracks.  A  curiously  roundabout  path 
do  they  form,  avoiding  every  manner  of  obstacle  large  or  small,  un- 
less, indeed,  a  coating  of  mud  or  snow  allows  them  to  indulge  in 
their  decided  fondness  of  sliding  downhill. 


145 


PORCUPINE 

Erethizon  dorsatus. 

Few  animals  afford  a  better  example  of  the  protection  which 
Nature  devises  to  preserve  from  extinction  certain  species  than  does 
this  armor-clad  inhabitant  of  the  deep  forests  from  southern  Maine 
and  the  mountains  of  Pennsylvania  as  far  north  as  Hudson  Bay. 
It  is  not  of  large  size,  measuring  only  about  three  feet  in  length,  in- 
cluding the  nine-inch  tail,  and  weighing  about  thirty  pounds. '  Neith- 
er is  there  any  beauty  of  coloring  or  of  texture  in  its  dark  brown 
hair,  which  almost  conceals  the  short  gray-tipped  quills.  In  these 
last,  however,  although  they  are  but  from  one  to  four  inches  long, 
lies  the  chief  interest  of  this  curious  animal.  As  long  as  he  is  un- 
disturbed, his  coat  of  mail  rests  quietly  thrown  back  over  the  body 
and,  on  first  acquaintance,  may  deceive  even  the  crafty  wild  folk  of 

147 


his  own  forest.  But  let  them  try  to  approach  him  and  how  quickly 
the  sheet  of  muscles  underneath  forces  every  quill  to  an  upright  po- 
sition, while  one  blow  from  the  strong  tail  where  the  spines  are 
strongest  and  thickest,  teaches  the  trespasser  a  lesson  never  to  be 
forgotten.  Each  spine  is  so  loosely  attached  to  the  wearer's  skin 
that  the  power  of  the  blow  will  drive  many  of  them  into  the  vic- 
tim's body,  especially  as  they  penetrate  because  sharply  pointed. 
When  once  in,  any  attempt  to  extract  them  succeeds  only  in 
making  a  bad  matter  worse,  as  the  point  is  barbed  and  works  its  way 
further  into  the  flesh  with  every  motion  of  the  sufferer.  It  is  not 
uncommon  for  death  to  follow  as  the  final  result  of  the  blow. 
Hence,  although  slow  of  movement  and  of  wits,  the  porcupine  is  an 
adversary  whom  even  the  large  wild  cats  fear  to  encounter  and 
dwells  in  safety  among  far  larger  and  more  clever  animals. 

His  home  is  located  in  a  hollow  tree,  or,  more  often,  in  a  lair 
among  the  rocks.     Although  somewhat  partial  to  the  darkness  of 

148 


night,  he  may  occasionally  be  seen  during  the  day,  especially  in 
winter,  as  he  hibernates  for  only  brief  periods.  The  young  are  born 
in  the  spring  and  are  usually  two  in  number.  In  securing  his  food, 
this  creature  follows  peculiar  methods.  Hemlocks,  beeches  and 
cotton-woods  are  his  favorite  trees  and  it  is  his  custom  to  take  one 
tree  after  another  in  a  straight  line  through  the  forest.  He  begins 
to  eat  the  bark  of  the  tip-top  branches  first  and  systematically 
gnaws  his  way  to  the  bottom,  then  climbs  another  and  does  like- 
wise, leaving  behind  him  naked  limbs  and  trees  stripped  of  bark 
and  foliage  alike. 

The  Indians  in  the  past  were  accustomed  to  use  his  flesh  for 
food,  his  skin  for  clothing  and  his  quills  for  decoration  of  mocca- 
sins, hunting  pouches,  etc. 


140 


NORTHERN  HARE  or  WHITE  RABBIT 

Lcpus  aincricanus  virgimanus. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  rabbit  family.  Adults  being 
from  eighteen  to  twenty  inches  and  the  more  northern  varieties  up 
to  twenty-four  inches  long  and  averaging  from  four  to  six  pounds 
in  weight.  It  is  most  commonly  found  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
the  United  States  from  northern  Maine  to  North  Carolina,  along 
the  Alleghany  Range. 

From  the  middle  or  last  of  February,  until  the  coming  of  snow, 
their  color  is  of  a  dark  reddish  brown,  which  usually  changes  in  a 
short  time  to  be  pure  white,  or,  in  some  cases,  white  with  the 
patches  of  brown  still  remaining  during  the  early  part  of  the  winter. 

This  change  of  color  is  their  greatest  protection,  both  from 
the  hunter  and  from  their  various  animal  enemies,  from  the  small 

151 


weasel  to  the  fox,  and  also  all  of  the  larger  varieties  of  the  hawks 
and  owls.  They  are  usually  quiet  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day, 
sleeping  in  dense  thickets,  and  at  dusk  start  out  for  their  food 
supply,  which  consists  of  fresh  leaves,  grass,  roots  and  the  tender 
bark  from  young  trees.  They  do  not  seem  to  have  the  instinct  of 
many  other  animals,  like  the  squirrels,  of  storing  away  for  future 
use  a  supply  for  the  winter. 

They  are  one  of  the  most  helpless  of  the  animal  family  in  hav- 
ing no  means  of  defense  and  have  to  depend  wholly  on  their  fleet- 
ness  of  foot  in  getting  away  from  the  large  number  of  their  enemies. 

Unlike  the  gray  rabbit,  these  do  not  burrow  and  make  a  good 
comfortable  nest  in  the  ground,  but  may  be  found  at  home  in  dense 
swampy  thickets  on  the  border  of  heavy  timber  and  under  the  cover 
of  low-hanging  evergreens. 

They  are  never  abundant  in  any  locality  now,  where  only  a  few 
years  ago  they  were  to  be  found  common.  They  are  shot  by  hunt- 

152 


ers  for  the  markets,  their  flesh  being  considered  as  equal  to  most 
other  kinds  of  wild  game  and  their  natural  enemies  are  so  nu- 
merous that  it  is  almost  impossible  for  any  great  increase  in  their 
numbers. 

Their  worst  enemies  are  the  foxes  and  owls,  the  latter  hunting 
them  at  night  when  they  are  feeding,  and  the  foxes  while  they  are 
half  asleep  during  the  day.  They  breed  early  in  the  spring,  having 
several  litters  during  the  season,  and  have  from  three  to  six  young 
each  time.  The  young  are  born  with  their  eyes  open  and  are  cov- 
ered with  hair,  being  nursed  by  the  mother  for  four  or  five  weeks, 
when  they  are  old  enough  to  care  for  themselves.  The  hides  of  the 
rabbit  and  hare  are  used  quite  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of 
the  cheaper  grade  of  furs,  having  the  lowest  market  value. 


153 


CONY,  LITTLE  CHIEF  HARE  or  PIKA 

Ochotona  princeps. 

This  small  animal,  known  as  the  "calling,"  "crying,"  or  "piping'' 
hare,  because  of  the  shrill  whistle,  which  serves  both  as  the  ordinary 
speech  of  these  gregarious  little  creatures,  and  with  a  slight  varia- 
tion, as  their  note  of  warning,  is  really  not  a  typical  hare  at  all,  but 
has  a  family  name  peculiar  to  itself.  It  is  found  throughout  the 
western  mountain  ranges  from  Alaska  to  northern  California  and 
lives  up  among  the  peaks,  seldom  being  seen  below  timber  line.  At 
these  high  elevations  it  makes  its  home,  either  in  a  natural  crevice 
or  a  burrow  formed  among  or  between  the  rocks,  coming  forth  occa- 
sionally to  sun  itself  on  the  sloping  ledges,  but  usually  preferring 
the  darkness  for  its  working-time. 

And,  indeed,  it  must  have  to  work  hard  to  pick  up  a  living  from 

155 


the  scanty  mountain  grass  and  plants,  especially  as  it  does  not  hi- 
bernate but  lays  up  a  large  supply  for  the  winter.  To  secure  this 
food,  it  often  travels  long  distances,  for  although  short-legged,  it  is 
exceedingly  quick  of  movement  and  little  disposed  to  idleness  or 
fatigue.  In  storing  the  provision,  sometimes  a  miniature  haystack  is  * 
built  up  of  the  gathered  grass,  or,  more  providently,  upon  considera- 
tion of  the  many  snowy  days  during  which  it  must  be  buried  alive, 
a  part  of  the  dried  herbage,  at  least,  is  tucked  away  safely  in  the 
nesting  place.  When  we  remember,  however,  the  meagre  vegeta- 
tion existing  on  the  heights  which  the  pika  frequents  and  the  con- 
stant drain  on  its  vitality  due  to  the  benumbing  cold,  we  are  not  sur- 
prised that  in  spite  of  all  its  activity  and  foresight,  its  body  is  always 
thin  and  the  general  appearance  that  of  a  half-famished  creature. 
At  its  best,  it  is  a  curious  object,  combining  some  characteris- 
tics of  both  the  hare  and  the  rat,  and,  perhaps  more  nearly  resem- 
bling the.  guinea  pig  than  either  of  them.  While  much  smaller  than 

156 


the  hare,  as  it  measures  but  seven  inches,  yet  the  similarity  of  the 
coloring  might  at  first  mislead  an  observer  into  supposing  it  was 
nothing  more  interesting,  as  its  coat  of  grayish  brown  is  the  hare's 
own  hue  and  designed  for  the  same  purpose  of  protection  among  the 
pika's  gray  rocks.  A  second  glance  would  speedily  detect,  however, 
the  shorter  hind  legs,  the  close-set  rounded  ears,  with  their  conspicu- 
ous white  edge,  the  absence  of  any  external  tail,  all  features  which 
distinguish  it  unmistakably  from  the  true  hare. 

In  addition  to  the  disguise  afforded  by  its  color,  it  has  been 
provided  with  soft  hairy  pads  for  its  tiny  feet  that  it  may  make 
swift  and  sure  progress  over  the  slippery,  and  often  icy,  rocks,  while 
the  brightness  of  its  bead-like  eyes  are  a  true  indication  of  its  alert 
and  watchful  disposition. 


157 


COTTONTAIL  RABBIT 

Lepus  floridanus  mallurus.      % 

No  animal  in  our  country  is  better  known,  more  hunted  to-day 
as  game,  or  more  relished  for  food,  than  this  rabbit,  whose  range 
extends  from  New  England  to  Yucatan,  with  other  common  varie- 
ties further  north  and  west.  Were  it  not  one  of  the  most  prolific 
of  animals,  extermination  would  long  ago  have  been  its  fate,  be- 
cause of  the  value  of  its  excellent  flesh  and  the  fair  quality  of  its 
fur.  Upon  consideration,  however,  of  its  destructiveness  and  its 
rapidity  of  increase,  which  have  made  it  such  a  pest  in  Australia,  we 
can  but  regard  the  sport  of  its  pursuit  a  legitimate  diversion,  and 
the  resulting  trophies  an  unfortunate  necessity. 

Nature,  to  be  sure,  has  done  her  part  in  its  protection  by  the 
gift  of  a  coloring  of  a  gray  and  reddish  brown,  harmonizing  with 

159 


the  soil  so  perfectly  as  to  render  its  whereabouts  inconspicuous. 
So  true  is  this  fact  that  the  rabbit  himself  has  learned  to  make  use 
of  it  and  often  will  not  believe  that  he  is  the  object  of  your  at- 
tention until  your  hand  is  almost  within  reach  of  him,  when  forth 
he  suddenly  leaps,  and  nine  times  out  of  ten  eludes  that  particular 
hand.  His  stubby  legs  are  too  short  to  make  him  much  of  a  run- 
ner, so  he  will  try  to  get  away  into  some  crevice  in  the  rocks,  or 
some  burrow  beneath  the  twisted  roots  of  a  tree,  from  which  it  is 
impossible  to  dig  him  out.  Man  is  not  his  only  foe,  though,  and 
in  this  case  the  weasel  proves  superior  to  human  persistency,  as  its 
elasticity  of  movement  allows  it  to  penetrate  any  such  hiding  place, 
subterranean  invasion  being,  indeed,  one  of  its  regular  sources  of 
food-supply.  Besides  dogs,  the  companions  of  men  in  their  pursuit 
of  him,  foxes,  mink,  skunks  and  hawks,  as  well  as  the  weasel,  all 
are  his  enemies  and  at  their  enumeration  we  little  wonder  that  he 
always  appears  to  be  on  the  watch  and  very  quick  to  take  the  alarm. 

160 


The  cottontail,  whose  name  was  suggested  by  the  fluffy  white 
under-surface  of  the  up-turned  tail,  measures  about  seventeen  inches 
in  length  and  weighs,  on  the  average,  about  two  and  a  half  or 
three  pounds,  although  heavier  specimens  are  often  captured.  His 
varied  diet  includes  grasses,  clover,  berries  and  leaves  from  his  wild 
haunts,  garden  vegetables,  buds  and  twigs  of  young  trees ;  we  must 
do  him  the  justice  to  add  that  he  usually  commits  this  last  injury 
only  when  compelled  to  it  by  the  hunger  of  winter. 

The  young  are  born  blind  and  naked,  in  a  nest  or  tunnel  dug 
by  the  mother  and  lined  with  the  softest  grass  and  moss  and  pad- 
ded with  fur  from  her  own  body. 


161 


NORWAY  or  COMMON  RAT 

Mus  norvegicus. 

We  can  hardly  believe  that  this  creature  who  now  inhabits 
all  parts  of  the  world  where  man  lives  was  originally  a  native  of 
western  China.  Thence  for  ages  he  has  been  making  far  journeys 
over  land  and  sea  and  even  to-day  rarely  does  a  ship  weigh  anchor 
from  any  port  without  giving  involuntary  accommodations  to  some 
of  these  detested  passengers.  Homely  enough  are  they,  with  the 
dull  and  coarse  grayish  brown  fur,  thickly  mixed  with  long  pro- 
jecting black  hairs,  and  with  the  almost  bare  tail  deeply  marked 
with  heavy  scales.  With  the  head  and  thick  set  body  together  meas- 
uring about  ten  inches  and  the  tail  about  the  same,  they  are  big 
fellows  and  thus  easily  overcome  their  smaller  and  less  objection- 

163 


able  cousin,  the  black  rat,  who  is  doomed  to  extinction  the  moment 
they  have  invaded  his  haunts. 

Cannibals  that  they  are,  they  devour  him  if  he  does  not  beat 
a  hasty  retreat,  but  this  cruelty  is,  after  all,  simply  an  economical 
method  of  getting  him  out  of  their  way,  for  they  give  the  same  short 
shrift  to  disabled  members  of  their  own  immediate  families.  They 
do  not,  however,  lack  the  power  of  combining  their  forces  against 
a  common  foe  and  the  brown  and  black  rats  alike  would  muster 
under  one  standard  against  a  human  enemy  just  as  the  brown 
species  unite  to  exterminate  its  next  of  kin. 

Apparently  unable  and  at  least  unwilling  to  live  apart  from 
civilized  man,  they  make  poorer  return  for  their  entertainment 
than  does  any  other  animal.  Not  only  as  stray  individuals  do  they 
pilfer  from  his  larder,  gnaw  into  fragments  his  garments  care- 
lessly left  within  their  reach,  steal  poultry  and  carry  away  eggs  un- 
broken from  his  henhouse,  defiantly  rob  him  of  his  corn  and  grain, 

164 


but  also  in  hordes  they  overrun  his  market  places,  invade  his  store- 
houses, and  in  the  very  center  of  human  habitation  live  most  at 
their  ease  and  unmolested. 

And  what  is  the  reward  of  patience  that  has  endured  the  vio- 
lence of  this  high-handed  thief?  Little,  if  any,  good  has  he  ever 
done,  but  at  last  upon  his  head  rests  a  sentence  that  must  forever 
cut  short  his  depredations.  Through  all  these  years  he  has  been  a 
carrier  of  the  death-dealing  bubonic  plague,  which  has  scourged 
Asia  most,  but  visited  Europe  and  England  with  woeful  disaster  at 
the  time  of  the  Crusades,  and  ever  since  has  had  occasional  terrible 
outbreaks,  always  attended  with  tremendous  loss  of  life.  To  our 
shores  this  dreaded  disease  has  seldom  been  brought,  but  because 
it  has  occurred  at  all  the  brown  rat  must  pay  the  penalty.  He  is 
most  crafty,  and  exceedingly  prolific,  since  three  litters  of  from 
eight  to  twelve  each  are  produced  yearly.  Stringent  and  systematic 
measures  should  be  used  to  exterminate  them. 

165 


FIELD  MOUSE 

Micro tus  pennsylvanicus. 

This  tiny  creature,  whose  long  list  of  Latin-named  species  is 
out  of  all  proportion  to  its  size,  is  common  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  confining  its  activities  wholly  to  the  outdoor  world,  with, 
perhaps,  the  one  exception  of  harvested  crops,  and  showing  a  pref- 
erence for  low  or  marshy  meadow-land,  although  abundant  every- 
where throughout  our  fields.  The  coloring  of  the  upper  portion  of 
the  body  corresponds  closely  with  the  soil,  being  a  reddish  brown, 
so  the  quick  movement  alone  often  gives  us  the  first  hint  of  its 
presence.  Its  chief  distinguishing  features  are  the  plumpness  of 
the  sturdy  little  frame  in  contrast  to  the  slender  shape  of  many 
mice,  the  close-set  rounded  ears  and  the  short  tail,  measuring  about 
one-third  of  the  entire  length,  which  is  about  seven  inches. 

167 


This  member  of  the  mouse-family  is  most  disliked  by  farmers 
because  of  his  fondness  for  grain,  especially  corn.  A  favorite 
habit  of  his  is  to  make  a  permanent  abode  in  a  nest  built  in  a  stack 
of  corn  and  there  to  live  at  ease  until  some  winter  day  he  has  a 
rude  awakening  when  the  farmer's  boy  selects  that  particular  shock 
for  the  cattle's  fodder.  Another  offense  of  which  he  is  guilty  is 
eating  the  bark  from  trees  and  here  again  the  farmer  and  he  are  at 
odds,  as  he  has  a  decided  partiality  for  young  fruit  trees,  and  that 
the  barrenness  of  winter  often  forces  him  to  this  mischief  is  no  fit- 
ting apology  in  the  eyes  of  the  farmer.  For  further  food  supply  he 
must  depend  upon  grasses,  roots,  seeds  and  small  insects  and,  if 
near  the  salt  marshes,  where  he  delights  to  dwell,  he  may  find  tiny 
shellfish,  well  suited  to  his  taste. 

His  enemies,  like  his  names,  seem  out  of  all  keeping  with  his 
apparent  importance,  but  when  we  consider  his  destructive  and  pro- 
lific nature,  we  are  compelled  to  regard  the  number  of  his  foes  as 

168 


a  wise  precaution  against  a  too  rapid  increase  of  his  kind.  In  addi- 
tion to  that  well-trained  one,  the  domestic  cat,  the  list  includes  hawks 
and  crows  to  pounce  on  him  from  above,  owls  to  spy  him  out  in  the 
darkness,  foxes  always  on  the  alert  for  him  in  their  pursuit  for 
larger  game,  and  weasels  able  to  slide  into  his  smallest  and  safest 
retreat.  His  short  legs  and  chubby  body  render  escape  by  flight 
almost  impossible  and  struggle  as  he  may,  the  chances  are  usually 
against  him.  If  living  near  the  shore  he  may  succeed  better  as  he  is 
able  both  to  swim  and  to  dive  and  never  hesitates  to  take  to  the 
water.  As  a  rule,  though,  these  harmful  and  interesting  little  ani- 
mals can  hope  to  preserve  themselves  and  their  offspring  only  by 
being  as  inconspicuous  as  possible  and  thus  avoiding  notice  very 
likely  to  prove  unfavorable. 


169 


HOUSE  MOUSE 

Mus  inusculus. 

Most  of  us  are  so  well  aware  of  the  universal  presence  of  this 
small  creature  that  it  will  surprise  us  to  learn  that  he  is  not  a  native 
of  our  country  at  all.  Far  off  in  southern  Asia  was  his  original 
abode  and  from  there  he  has  been  the  constant  companion  of  man 
in  wandering  all  over  the  face  of  the  earth.  To  America  he  found 
his  way  only  with  the  first  white  settlers,  but  no  sooner  were  the 
cabins  built  than  he  was  on  hand  to  help  take  possession  and  ever 
since  has  been  making  himself  the  uninvited  guest  in  every  manner 
of  habitation,  in  city  or  country,  among  rich  and  poor  alike. 

In  the  choice  of  a  nesting-place  he  makes  few  requirements. 
To  be  sure  it  suits  him  better  if  the  entrance  into  his  chamber  be  no 
larger  than  necessary  to  admit  his  tiny  form ;  he  also  has  a  par- 

171 


tiality  for  cast-off  kitchen  utensils,  such  as  coffee  pots,  bottles,  cans 
and  the  like,  while  the  possibility  of  an  old  shoe,  slipper  or  hat,  fill 
his  heart  with  joy.  In  all  cases,  however,  but  two  stipulations  are 
absolute  essentials.  Nor  is  the  first  of  these  two  difficult  to  com- 
ply with,  for  Mr.  Mouse,  if  most  greedy,  is  also  most  omnivorous 
in  its  strict  sense  of  eating  everything  that  comes  within  his  reach. 
Most  householders  annoyed  by  this  unwelcome  tenant  are  less  ac- 
quainted with  the  second  condition  of  his  prolonged  stay.  He  is 
quite  as  fond  of  water  as  of  food  and  must  have  at  least  one  good 
drink  daily  if  he  is  to  remain  happy  and  contented,  so  would  not 
take  up  permanent  quarters  where  he  is  not  able  easily  to  satisfy  his 
thirst. 

Nothing  less  than  the  tremendous  advantage  of  living  right  in 
the  heart  of  a  stack  of  corn,  or  high  up  among  the  dried  clovers  and 
seeds  of  a  hay  mow  now  will  offset  this  consideration  and  induce 
him  to  depend  upon  some  distant  and  inconvenient  source  for  his 

172 


regular  water  supply.  Wherever  the  nest  may  be,  into  it  will  come 
many  of  the  tiniest  babies,  naked,  pink,  little  shapes,  apparently  too 
frail  to  have  the  slightest  breath  of  life  in  their  almost  perfectly 
transparent  bodies. 

A  strong  testimony  to  its  natural  cunning  is  found  in  the  large 
number  of  devices  designed  to  entrap  it  and  its  skill  in  avoiding 
all  but  the  latest  and  most  fascinating.  The  long  tail,  indeed,  may 
prove  a  cause  of  misfortune  by  getting  caught  in  some  of  the  many 
snap-traps,  but  this  does  not  necessarily  mean  capture  since  the 
smooth  skin  of  this  appendage  may  be  shed,  not  without  pain  to 
be  sure,  but  nevertheless  allowing  the  heedless  owner  to  make  good 
his  escape.  As  a  pet  he  is  entertaining,  \vtth  his  large  ears,  bead- 
like  black  eyes,  exhibiting  a  playfulness  and  curiosity  both  amusing 
and  interesting.  They  are  objectionable  as  such  on  account  of  their 
strong  odor  when  confined. 


173 


JUMPING  MOUSE 

Zapus  hudsonius. 

Although  in  many  particulars  closely  resembling  the  common 
and  other  mice,  this  tiny  rodent  is  classed  in  a  family  all  his  own, 
which,  in  turn,  is  divided  into  ten  distinct  species.  These  differ 
but  slightly  in  coloring  or  habits  and  chiefly  in  range,  so  the  meadow 
jumping  mouse  may  be  chosen  as  a  representative  type.  The  limits 
of  his  range  are  from  Hudson  Bay  to  North  Carolina,  but  his  kin- 
dred are  found  throughout  North  America,  from  Alaska  to  Cali- 
fornia in  the  West  and  from  Labrador  to  Mexico  in  the  East.  As 
the  name  implies,  the  fields  are  a  favorite  resort  with  him,  but  he 
is  almost  as  often  found  in  the  woods,  swamps,  or  uplands,  never 
being  very  common  anywhere,  but  usually  most  numerous  during  the 
month  of  August.  These  mice,  like  most  others,  are  prolific  crea- 

175 


tures,  having  usually  three  litters  a  year  and  from  three  to  five 
young  each,  but  seem  to  be  endowed  with  less  keenness  of  wits  for 
the  protection  of  themselves,  which  may  account  for  their  scarcity. 
If  indeed  fortunate  enough  to  disturb  one  of  them,  we  may  be 
deceived,  at  first  sight,  into  thinking  our  find  nothing  more  im- 
portant than  a  somewhat  slender  common  mouse.  His  length  is 
much  the  same,  being  about  three  inches,  and  his  reddish  brown 
color  is  not  conspicuous,  although  there  may  be  more  white  on  the 
under-parts.  He  rarely  gives  the  chance  for  a  fair  look  at  him, 
however,  before  off  he  darts  through  the  air  when  we  may  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  long  tail,  measuring  almost  twice  the  length  of  the 
body,  and  bearing  at  the  end  a  small  tuft  of  hairs.  This  tail  is  a 
most  useful  part  of  his  equipment,  as  it  helps  him  to  keep  his  bal- 
ance and  to  choose  his  direction.  The  first  leap  will  carry  him 
from  eight  to  ten  feet,  no  other  animal  of  his  size  can  cover  as  much 
space  at  one  move,  and  this  distance  will  be  equalled  in  several 

176 


successive  bounds  until  he  may  at  last  slow  down  to  the  space  of 
about  four  feet,  which  may  be  called  his  usual  walking  gait.  In 
the  meantime,  if  spry  enough,  we  may  have  discovered  that  the 
extremely  long  hind  legs  are  the  propelling  force  behind  this  won- 
derful jumping,  although  they  seem  hardly  to  touch  the  ground  at 
all.  We  cannot  hope  to  approach  sufficiently  near  to  observe  the 
pouches  on  his  tiny  cheeks,  but  when  told  this  last  distinguishing 
feature  we  are  quite  ready  to  pronounce  him  much  like  the  inter- 
esting kangaroo,  both  in  appearance  and  manner  of  progress. 

For  food  the  jumping  mouse  depends  upon  grains,  seeds  and 
berries  and  lays  by  some  provision  for  cold  weather.  This  he  seldom 
needs  to  use,  however,  as  he  has  a  cozy  and  softly-lined  hole  under- 
ground, where,  curled  into  a  warm  round  ball,  he  sleeps  away  most 
of  the  winter  months. 


177 


GRAY  SQUIRREL 

Sciurus  carolinensis. 

The  squirrel  family  is  divided  into  three  groups,  the  tree  squir- 
rels which  make  their  homes  in  tree  tops ;  rock  squirrels,  which  live 
among  the  rocks,  fences,  tree  roots,  etc.,  and  the  ground  squirrels, 
found  in  the  prairie  countries.  Of  the  first  of  these  groups,  the 
gray  squirrel  is  a  typical  representative,  having  an  extensive  range, 
average  size  and  a  common  coloring.  He  is  well  known  from  south- 
ern Canada,  throughout  New  England,  south  to  Florida  and  Texas, 
and  west  to  Minnesota  and  Kansas.  In  appearance  he  is  one  of  the 
most  graceful  and  handsome  of  the  whole  family,  being  shapely  and 
well  proportioned  in  form  and  of  a  soft  clear  gray  color  above  and 
white  below.  His  beautiful  bushy  tail  measures  about  half  his  en- 

179 


tire  length  of  eighteen  or  twenty  inches  and  is  a  conspicuous  adorn- 
ment as  he  whisks  in  and  out  among  bushes  and  trees. 

As  nests,  these  squirrels  occupy  hollow  holes  in  trees,  or  build 
among  the  branches  a  framework  of  twigs,  either  dry  or  green  ones 
gnawed  off  by  their  sharp  teeth.  The  nest  is  covered  and  lined 
with  leaves  and  moss  and  makes  a  soft  resting-place  for  their  young, 
usually  from  four  to  five  in  number,  which  are  born  each  spring. 
They,  like  others  of  their  kind,  depend  largely  upon  the  summer's 
toil  to  furnish  the  winter's  provisions  and  may  hibernate  for  a  short 
time,  although  they  are  often  out  every  day,  especially  if  enticed  by 
the  hope  of  securing  food  from  some  regular  source. 

I  have  seen  few  prettier  proofs  of  animal  confidence  in  man's 
protection  than  when,  at  the  busiest  hours  of  the  day,  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  crowded  city,  these  sprightly  little  fellows  frisk  undis- 
turbed about  you,  as  you  walk  through  Boston  Common,  or  in 
fact  any  large  park,  they  will  peer  inquisitively  at  you  from  behind 

180 


some  seat,  as  if  begging  for  their  accustomed  treat  and  becoming  so 
tame  as  to  take  a  nut  from  one's  hand.  Possibly  because  of  his 
natural  enemies,  such  as  the  fox,  hawks,  mice,  and  even  the  roguish 
red  squirrel,  whose  cleverness  delights  in  stealing  his  sedate  gray 
cousin's  winter  supply,  the  gray  squirrel  shows  himself  unusually 
grateful  for  the  shelter  and  seclusion  offered  in  our  parks  or  near 
our  homes,  and  rewards  us  very  often  by  his  friendly  and  sociable 
presence. 

His  gray  covering  is  much  admired  because  of  its  soft  texture 
and  thickness,  and  is  employed  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  manu- 
facture of  fur  goods,  for  which  purpose  the  northern  squirrels  are 
superior.  When  we  realize,  however,  the  large  number  of  skins  re- 
quired for  even  one  garment,  we  may  well  refuse  to  rob  our  woods 
of  even  that  much  joyous  and  harmless  life. 


181 


FOX  SQUIRREL 

Sciurns  nicjcr. 

The  fox  squirrel,  although  somewhat  rare  throughout  its  range, 
is  found  from  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  north  to  central  New 
York  and  west  to  the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  it  is  most  numerous 
at  present.  It  is  the  largest  of  the  tree-dwelling  group,  having  a 
stout  thickset  body,  about  one  foot  in  length,  and  a  handsome  bushy 
tail  fully  as  long.  The  general  coloring  is  yellowish  gray  with  more 
or  less  of  a  reddish  tinge  above  and  a  lighter  yellow  shading  almost 
to  white  below.  It  is,  however,  the  most  variable  in  color  of  any  of 
our  squirrels  and  may  be  found  in  many  shades,  from  that  just 
described  to  jet  black,  clear  gray  or  pure  white.  The  one  distin- 
guishing mark  of  this  particular  species  is  the  pure  white  nose  which 

183 


is  peculiar  to  the  southern  fox  squirrel  alone  of  all  members  of  the 
family. 

In  the  homes  and  habits  of  these  clever  creatures  are  noted 
differences  equal  to  those  in  their  appearance.  In  the  north  they 
live  in  the  hollows  of  trees,  which  they  line  with  bark,  soft  grass  or 
moss,  or  build  nests  of  dried  leaves  on  a  framework  of  branches, 
leaving  a  small  entrance  on  the  side  rather  than  on  top  that  the 
rain  may  not  find  its  way  in  so  easily.  In  the  south,  they  contrive 
graceful  structures  of  the  beautiful  hanging  Spanish  moss  whither 
they  like  to  scurry  away  with  any  treasure  they  may  have  secured. 
This  fact  often  furnishes  the  vigilant  observer  with  a  clue  that  he 
is  in  their  vicinity,  as  they,  like  most  squirrels,  are  very  fond  of  the 
seeds  of  pine  cones,  and,  in  biting  off  the  outer  surface  to  reach 
the  seeds,  drop  the  scales  about  the  nesting-place.  The  sight  of  the 
chips  may  betray  them  to  friend  and  foe  alike,  for  they  are  much 
hunted  for  both  their  flesh  and  their  fur ;  the  former  is  esteemed  for 

184 


its  excellent  flavor  and  the  latter  has  as  high  a  value  as  that  of  any 
of  their  kind. 

In  the  colder  climate  they  store  away  rather  more  provisions 
than  in  the  warmer  localities,  but  they  are  everywhere  careless  in 
this  respect  when  compared  with  the  red  or  gray  squirrels.  They 
seem  to  trust  to  good  fortune  that  there  will  be  enough  pleasant 
days  even  during  winter  for  them  to  pick  up  a  living  and,  as  they 
are  plucky  little  specimens  of  hardihood,  they  are  usually  right. 
When  too  cold  a  snap  comes  they  must  stay  at  home  in  their  nest 
and  try  to  forget  their  hunger  in  sleep  until  the  next  warm  spell. 

Because  of  their  size  and  strength,  they  have  less  to  fear  from 
the  hawks  than  have  some  of  the  others,  but  the^wild  cat,  raccoon 
and  fox  are  always  on  the  watch  for  them. 


185 


RED  SQUIRREL 
Soiurus  hudsonicus  gymnicus. 

The  red  squirrel,  or,  "chickaree,"  with  its  three  species  and 
fifteen  sub-species,  is  found  from  Alaska  to  Arizona  and  is  one  of 
the  most  common  of  the  squirrel  family.  It  is  also  one  of  the 
smallest,  its  entire  length  being  only  twelve  inches,  of  which  the  tail 
measures  five.  In  form  it  is  less  graceful  than  some  others  as  the 
legs  appear  to  be  scrawny  in  comparison  with  the  body,  nor  is  its 
coloring  of  reddish  brown  above  and  white  beneath  as  attractive 
as  that  of  the  gray  or  the  fox  squirrels.  During  the  winter  months 
this  brown  becomes  more  reddish  and  the  pure  white  is  replaced  by 
a  grayish  tint.  In  this  new  garb  the  little  creature  frolics  on  the  very 
coldest  days,  thus  proving  that,  whatever  its  inferiority  in  size,  it  is 
second  to  none  of  its  kind  in  energy  and  endurance. 

187 


Few  animals  are  more  interesting  to  watch  than  is  this  small 
rodent,  and  he  is  also  a  sociable  fellow,  with  an  alert  but  fear- 
less manner,  often  seeming  to  welcome  a  human  companion  in 
the  woodland  and  usually  ready  to  show  himself  off  to  advantage. 
He  is  always  busy  and  while  not  enough,  concerned  about  property 
rights  to  respect  even  the  winter  supplies  of  a  neighbor,  to  say 
nothing  of  robbing  birds'  nests,  hunters'  traps  and  farmers'  corn 
bins,  he  still  has  to  work  hard  for  a  living.  He  prefers  two  homes, 
one  high  up  in  a  tree  and  here  he  does  not  scruple  to  occupy  a  de- 
serted crow's  or  hawk's  nest,  and  another  underground.  In  these 
hiding  places  he  stows  away  all  sorts  of  goodies ;  pine  cones,  nuts, 
acorns  and  apples,  to  add  to  his  winter  enjoyment.  The  garnering 
of  these  keeps  him  running  to  and  fro  throughout  the  long  summer 
days  and  until  late  fall  we  see  him  scurrying  back  and  forth  laying 
up  his  provisions.  Almost  every  winter  day  he  may  be  found  in  the 
hemlock  trees,  whose  cones  hold  their  seeds  all  winter,  adding  these 

188 


as  tid-bits  to  his  fare.  No  snow  is  so  deep  as  to  make  him  forget 
where  he  has  put  his  treasures  and  this  is  all  the  more  to  be  won- 
dered at  because,  not  content  with  his  two  homes,  he  has  many  other 
well-guarded  nooks  and  will  bury  apples  in  one  hole,  tuck  half  a 
dozen  pine  cones  in  another,  and  wedge  a  few  acorns  into  a  third. 
As  soon  as  the  first  buds  begin  to  swell,  the  active  little  fellow  finds 
a  new  delicacy  in  maple  sap  which  he  collects  in  a  hollow  cavity 
gnawed  out  by  his  teeth  and  drinks  with  keen  relish.  He  is  now 
safely  through  the  winter  and  ready  for  another  summer's  fun  and 
work. 


189 


FLYING  SQUIRREL 

Schiroptents  volans. 

This  peculiar  and  interesting  member  of  the  squirrel  family  is 
found  from  northern  New  York  and  southern  New  England  to 
Georgia  and  west  to  Louisiana.  Although  oYie  of  the  smallest, 
having  a  total  length  of  but  nine  inches,  of  which  the  tail  measures 
four,  he  is  also  one  of  the  prettiest.  His  beautiful  mole-like  fur  is 
ashy  brown  above  and  creamy  white  beneath  and  of  a  remarkably 
soft  and  silky  texture,  while  his  keen,  bright  eyes  are  very  large 
in  contrast  to  his  tiny  face,  and  the  membranes,  which  aid  him  in 
his  flight,  when  not  in  use,  form  a  fringe  of  silvery  whiteness 
through  which  peep  the  dainty  paws. 

The  name  '-flying  squirrel"  is  hardly  a  true  title,  as,  in  reality, 
the  little  creature  cannot  fly  horizontally  at  all.  A  thin  fold  of  skin 
connects  his  fore  and  hind  legs.  This  is  an  extension  of  his  sides, 

191 


and  at  its  greatest  width  is  about  half  as  wide  as  the  body  on  either 
side.  With  this  as  a  parachute  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  broad, 
flat  tail,  he  does  indeed  make  rapid  and  graceful  progress  through 
the  air.  His  usual  method  of  procedure  is  as  follows :  by  jumps  and 
scrambles  he  climbs  to  the  topmost  branch  of  some  tree,  then 
stretches  his  parachute  to  its  farthest  extent  and  sails  downward 
thirty  yards  or  more,  when,  just  as  we  expect  to  see  him  touch  the 
ground,  he  suddenly  changes  his  course  and,  carried  by  his  own  mo- 
mentum, veers  upward  at  an  angle  of  perhaps  sixty  degrees  and 
alights  safe  and  sound  on  another  tree  trunk,  all  ready  to  repeat  the 
performance. 

In  common  with  all  his  family,  he  is  active  and  frolicsome  and 
we  may  regret  that  most  of  his  antics  are  at  night,  thus  escaping 
our  notice,  for  they  would  surely  repay  careful  watching.  During 
the  day  he  rolls  himself  up  into  a  tiny  round  ball  and  sleeps  soundly 
in  his  nest,  which  usually  is  a  hollow  in  some  tree,  or  possibly  under 

192 


the  eaves  of  some  farm  house,  so  he  must  work  as  well  as  play  at 
night,  if  he  is  to  find  his  food  of  acorns,  nuts,  buds,  seeds,  beetles 
and  other  insects.  As  he  also  spends  most  of  the  cold  weather  curled 
up  in  the  same  fashion,  he  does  not  need  as  large  a  winter  supply  as 
do  his  neighbors  and  consequently  may  not  have  as  hard  a  task  to  get 
a  living ;  but  as  he  whisks  in  and  out,  up  and  down  among  the  trees, 
he  appears  quite  as  busy  as  any  of  them.  If  taken  when  young 
these  squirrels  are  easily  tamed  and  become  most  affectionate  pets, 
seeming  almost  to  prefer  the  society  of  their  keepers  to  that  of 
their  own  kind.  If  allowed  in  the  house,  they  will  make  use  of  the 
lace  curtains  and  tapestries  to  run  up  and  jump  from,  as  they 
would  the  trees  in  the  woods,  to  the  delight  of  the  children  as  well 
as  the  older  ones. 


193 


CHIPMUNK  or  STRIPED  SQUIRREL 

Tamias  striatus. 

The  chipmunk  is  one  of  the  best  known  inhabitants  of  our 
woods,  as  it  is  found  from  southern  Canada  and  New  York  to 
Georgia  and  Louisiana  and  is  abundant  and  easily  observable 
throughout  this  wide  range.  In  length  it  is  about  an  average  squir- 
rel,, measuring  some  ten  inches,  but  in  form  and  coloring  it  is  one 
of  our  prettiest,  as  the  general  hue  of  chestnut  is  distinctly  marked 
by  a  black  stripe  down  the  middle  of  the  back,  a  band  of  light  buff 
bordered  by  black  on  each  side,  and  a  white  line  both  above  and  be- 
low the  eye.  Another  peculiarity  of  its  own  is  the  cheek-pouches, 
which  are  of  unusual  capacity  for  so  small  a  creature,  since  they  ex- 
tend almost  to  the  shoulders  and  thus  enable  their  owner  to  make 
off  with  far  more  than  he  otherwise  could. 

195 


The  pouches  are  of  first  importance  in  collecting  his  winter 
supplies,  for,  although  he  hibernates  most  of  the  time  from  Novem- 
ber to  April,  he  always  has  enough  and  to  spare  for  his  late  fall  and 
early  spring  banquets.  As  to  food  materials  he  differs  little  from 
the  rest  of  his  kindred,  except  that  he  surely  is  less  guilty  than  they 
are  in  robbing  birds'  nests,  and  more  guilty  in  trespassing  upon  the 
farmers'  crops,  as  he  has  a  particular  fondness  for  digging  up  newly 
planted  corn.  His  only  defense  must  be  that  the  farmer  owes  him 
this  return  for  the  large  number  of  larvae  of  insects,  which  he  con- 
sumes during  his  busy  summer. 

In  the  matter  of  dwelling,  however,  the  little  chipmunk  sur- 
passes all  his  kind  in  cleverness.  A  hole  several  feet  deep  is  dug 
straight  down  into  the  earth,  then  a  passageway  is  run  out  at  right 
angles  to  this  for  three  feet  or  more,  after  which  it  takes  a  turn  up- 
ward and  opens  on  the  main  chamber.  From  this  chamber  may  lead 
off  other  ways  of  access  to  the  surface  and  tunnels,  where  the  winter 

196 


stores  are  often  kept.  All  of  this  contrivance  is,  of  course,  done  with 
an  eye  to  protection  and  the  skill  with  which  the  crafty  builder  con- 
ceals the  entrance,  avoids  making  any  apparent  path  to  his  home  and 
either  carries  away  in  his  pouches  or  tramples  down  with  his  tiny 
feet  the  large  amount  of  dirt  excavated  is  among  the  highest  testi- 
monials to  animal  intelligence.  So  successful  is  he  that  the  weasel 
alone  of  all  his  foes  occasionally  finds  its  way  into  the  burrow  and 
kills  the  inmate  by  sucking  its  blood. 

Chipmunks  are  very  sociable  neighbors,  delighting  to  chat  to- 
gether in  time  of  peace  and  giving  quick  warning  to  one  another 
when  danger  is  approaching.  The  latter  is  done  by  peculiar  chir- 
rup-alarms which  are  passed  along  from  one  to  another  until  the 
whole  community  is  on  guard. 


197 


PRAIRIE  DOG  or  MARMOT 

Cynomys  ludomcianus. 

Extending  for  miles  along  the  plains  east  of  the  Rockies  and 
also  found  to  the  west  in  Utah  and  Colorado  are  the  thickly  popula- 
ted villages  of  these  odd  creatures.  Each  settlement  forms  a  unit  in 
itself  under  the  guardianship  of  some  one  wise  old  dog,  whose  short 
sharp  yelp  of  warning  is  responsible  for  the  otherwise 'inappropriate 
name.  He  has  general  oversight  over  the  hundreds  of  inhabitants, 
whose  fifteen  or  sixteen  inches  in  length,  including  the  three-inch  tait, 
might  easily  escape  notice  by  their  close  resemblance  in  color  to  the 
reddish  brown  soil,  were  it  not  for  their  great  numbers  in  certain 
localities,  and  standing  so  conspicuous  upon  the  mounds  of  earth  at 
the  opening  of  their  burrows. 

Peculiarly  active  specimens  of  the  burrowing  order  and  quite 

199 


unlike  their  eastern  relative,  the  woodchuck,  little  time  do  they  waste 
sleeping  away  in  their  holes,  but  are  up  bright  and  early,  hurrying 
away  to  their  favorite  feeding  places,  transacting  the  apparently 
intensely  important  business  of  the  town,  paying  short  sociable  calls 
on  their  neighbors  and  when  tired  of  all  this  bustling  to  and  fro 
coming  back  to  rest  on  the  mounds  before  their  own  doors,  but  still 
keeping  a  watchful  eye  on  the  doings  of  their  small  world. 

These  curious  funnel-shaped  mounds,  about  a  foot  high  and 
three  or  four  feet  in  diameter  at  the  base,  are  really  the  entrances  to 
their  underground  homes.  He  much  dislikes  water,  being  one  of  the 
few  creatures  able  to  exist  without  drinking,  and  so  carefully  presses 
the  earth  dug  out  by  his  excavations  into  this  shape  with  the  open- 
ing to  the  passage  beneath,  in  the  center,  that  no  rain  may  enter  his 
dwelling. 

The  burrow  itself  slopes  downward  at  an  angle  of  forty-five 
degrees  for  twelve  or  fifteen  feet,  then  there  is  the  horizontal 

200 


runway  for  some  eight  or  ten  feet  more,  and  from  this  lead  off 
tunnels  at  a  somewhat  higher  level  to  the  rooms  or  nests,  of  which 
there  are  often  more  than  one.  Into  these  retreats  the  busiest 
community  will  all  scamper  with  characteristic  hurry  at  the  signal  of 
danger,  leaving  the  streets  deserted,  for  although  impatient  of  con- 
finement, they  are  the  most  wary  of  animals. 

Of  their  former  natural  enemies,  the  ferret  and  the  rattlesnake, 
from  both  of  whom  their  deepest  and  longest  tunnels  afford  not  the 
slightest  protection,  are  about  the  only  ones  who  survive  in  suf- 
ficient numbers  to  do  them  much  harm.  Because  of  their  consequent 
increase  and  the  immense  quantities  of  grass  which  they  consume, 
they  are  becoming  a- decided  nuisance  to  many  of  the  western  cattle 
owners. 


201 


WOODCHUCK  or  GROUND  HOG 

Arct'Oinys  mona.r. 

This  creature,  known  to  every  farmer's  boy  from  New  England 
to  Georgia  and  west  to  Kansas  and  North  Dakota,  belongs  to  an 
interesting  group  called  marmots,  who  are  near  kin  to  the  squirrels 
but  of  heavier  build,  being  the  largest  of  the  family  and  measuring 
about  twenty-four  inches  in  length,  with  the  short  tail  of  about  four 
inches  and  with  the  burrowing  powers  more  developed.  The  wood- 
chuck's  short  body,  stocky  form,  short  legs  and  flat  head  are  typical 
of  the  whole  group,  as  is  also  his  coarse,  stiff  covering  of  a  brown- 
ish gray  outer  hair,  which,  when  plucked,  leaves  a  thick  fine  fur  that 
is  used  in  the  fur  trade  to  quite  an  extent.  He  himself,  in  spite  of 
the  partiality  implied  by  his  name,  frequents  almost  equally  cultiva- 
ted fields,  pasture,  swamp  and  woodland.  Perhaps  most  often  will 

203 


his  favorite  choice  for  a  home  be  some  sandy  hillside  within  easy 
reach  of  the  water,  for  he  is  a  thirsty  fellow,  or  in  some  smooth 
green  meadow,  where  he  has  but  to  pop  out  of  his  door  to  find  the 
luscious  grass  and  fragrant  clover  upon  which  he  delights  to  feed. 
As  a  rule  both  lazy  and  slow  are  most  of  his  kind,  yet  in  the 
digging  of  his  burrow  the  woodchuck  shows  energy  and  haste  never 
again  to  be  equalled  or  even  approached  by  any  efforts  of  his,  un- 
less, unfortunately,  he  may  some  day  be  compelled  to  use  like  activi- 
ty in  escaping  from  an  enemy.  As  if  his  very  existence  depended 
upon  the  prompt  completion  of  this  hole,  does  he  tunnel  away,  first 
downward  at  a  slight  incline  for  three  or  four  feet,  then  a  long 
level  passage,  to  end  at  last  in  an  upward  turn  leading  into  a  large 
round  room.  The  length  of  the  entire  opening  may  be  twenty  or 
thirty  feet,  nor  is  he  satisfied  until  he  has  dug  out  several  entrances 
to  his  abode,  but  with  the  completion  of  these  all  his  life's  work  and 
worries  for  the  year  are  over.  Little  does  he  concern  himself 

204 


about  the  four  or  five  little  ones  which  arrive  each  spring  and  after 
only  a  few  weeks  are  pushed  out  of  the  nest  as  a  hint  that  they  are 
now  to  shift  for  themselves,  but  who  often  fall  an  easy  prey  to  their 
indifferent  parents'  own  arch  foe,  the  wily  fox. 

The  burrow  once  done,  the  "ground  hog"  proves  himself  true 
to  his  second  title  by  henceforth  making  it  his  sole  care  to  eat  all 
summer  long  with  occasional  short  excursions  to  a  nearby  orchard, 
or  possibly  garden,  to  vary  his  diet.  Sometimes,  when -surprised 
or  when  feeding,  he  will  assume  the  quick  upright  posture  so  char- 
acteristic of  the  squirrels, 'but  for  the  most  part  he  is  awkward  and 
clumsy  in  both  movements  and  gait.  The  height  of  his  ambition 
now  is  to  see  how  much  fat  he  can  grow,  to  last  him  while  he  sleeps 
away  the  cold  winter  days  in  his  burrow. 


205 


SKUNK  or  POLECAT 

Mephitis  niephitica. 

This  animal,  which  is  so  well  known  because  of  its  offensive  but 
effective  means  of  defense,  is  found  throughout  the  United  States 
and  Mexico,  but  is  most  common  in  the  northern  part  of  this  range. 
In  size  and  somewhat  in  appearance  it  resembles  a  cat,  being  about 
eighteen  inches  from  the  nose  to  the  root  of  the  bushy  tail,  while  the 
latter  itself  is  fourteen  or  fifteen  inches  long.  The  exact  color  and 
markings  of  the  fur  vary  considerably  but  the  general  effect  is  much 
the  same ;  bands  or  stripes  of  white  on  a  background  of  dark  brown 
or  jet  black,  making  a  conspicuous  and  distinguishing  combination. 

The  skunk  lives  in  burrows  dug  in  the  ground  by  its  strong 
claws  and,  while  a  favorite  sport  may  be  a  thieving  expedition  at 
night  to  a  near-by  poultry  yard,  its  principal  food  is  obtained  in  a 

207 


manner  far  more  helpful  to  man.  The  small  creature  is,  at  most 
times,  an  omnivorous  insect  eater  and,  with  his  family  of  from  six 
to  ten  each  season,  consumes  immense  quantities  of  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers and  the  like ;  he  is  also  very  fond  of  mice  and  other  small 
field  animals. 

The  secretion,  which  has  brought  the  skunk  into  such  disfavor, 
is  contained  in  two  glands  situated  at  the  base  of  the  tail  and  may 
be  retained  or  expelled  at  will.  On  the  approach  of  a  foe  the  tail  is 
raised  to  a  perpendicular  position,  the  back  is  turned  toward  the 
enemy  and  the  ill-scented  fluid  ejected,  sometimes  to  a  distance  of 
from  twelve  to  eighteen  feet.  The  odor  is  most  penetrating  as  well 
as  enduring  and  no  other  animal  seems  inclined  to  prove  his  valor  by 
a. contest  with  so  well-armed  an  adversary  unless  forced  or  surprised 
into  doing  so.  Some  authorities  tell  us  that  this  liquid  is  of 
medicinal  value  in  the  treatment  of  asthmatic  ailments ;  as  they  also 
add,  however,  that  its  continued  use  causes  the  patient  to  emit  its 

208 


own  vile  smell,  we  can  hardly  predict  a  wide  popularity  for  this 
remedy. 

Since  the  beaver,  marten,  mink  and  otter  have  become  more 
rare,  the  heavy,  lustrous  fur  of  the  skunk  has  been  extensively 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  fur  neckpieces,  muffs,  garments,  etc. 
This  thick  covering  is  a  very  necessary  protection  to  the  animal  it- 
self, as  he  spends  the  greater  part  of  the  cold  weather  in  the  open. 
It  is,  to  be  sure,  his  custom  to  hibernate  in  some  burrow  in  the  deep 
woods  for  a  short  time  each  year.  Here,  two  or  three  families  may 
sleep  away  the  very  coldest  months,  all  together  in  one  hole;  but 
early  in  February  they  are  astir  and  again  busy  at  their  task  of  find- 
ing a  living. 


209 


SPOTTED  SKUNK 

Spllogale  phena.v. 

The  spotted  skunk  is  of  more  southern  range  than  is  the  com- 
mon variety,  being  found  from  Kansas  to  Mexico,  and  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  north  to  "Washington  and  west  as  far  as  Utah.  Within  these 
limits  even  the  sight  of  him  is  a  bit  of  rare  good  fortune  for  he  is 
almost  wholly  a  creature  of  the  night,  coming  out  after  dark  to  catch 
the  mice  at  their  play  or  to  surprise  some  drowsy  little  bird.  He  also 
may  pay  a  quiet  visit  undetected  at  these  hours  to  some  neighboring 
henhouse,  but  then  will  disturb  nothing  more  than  a  few  eggs  which 
the  farmer  surely  owes  him  for  all  the  insects,  beetles,  grasshoppers, 
rats  and  mice  he  destroys.  Once  in  awhile  his  usefulness  is  duly 
appreciated,  and  by  lure  of  tempting  dainties,  he  is  induced  to  take  up 
his  abode  under  or  near  a  dwelling  for  the  express  purpose  of  rid- 

211 


ding  it  of  these  last  two  pests.  Then,  although  he  is  provided  with 
the  formidable  weapon  of  defense  peculiar  to  his  kind,  he  becomes 
very  tame  and  proves  himself  a  true  ally  of  man. 

A  sleek  and  beautiful  creature  is  he,  smaller  in  length  than  the 
northern  skunk,  but  of  more  slender  and  shapely  form,  and  of  far 
more  graceful  movements.  His  fur,  also  softer  and  thicker,  is  stri- 
kingly marked  with  alternate  bands  of  black  and  white,  running  for 
the  most  part  lengthwise  of  the  body,  and  always  handsome  in  their 
pattern,  although  varying  much  in  the  dozen  or  more  different 
species. 

Nimble  and  quick  at  climbing,  he  does  not  need  to  confine  his 
selection  of  a  dwelling  to  a  burrow  either  dug  by  himself  or  made 
over  to  him,  whether  voluntarily  or  otherwise,  by  the  previous  ten- 
ant. In  some  localities  to  be  sure,  as  in  the  lowlands  beside  a  river  or 
along  the  coast,  this  is  just  the  best  possible  sort  of  a  home  and  he 
has  no  scruples  about  appropriating  to  his  own  use  any  he  may  be 

212 


lucky  enough  to  secure.  On  the  open  plains  where  there  is  not  a 
wide  choice  of  shelter  he  may  conclude  that  it  is  worth  his  while  to 
excavate  a  hole  for  himself  beneath  a  concealing  cactus  or  some 
other  of  the  few  large  plants.  Once  in  the  wooded  country,  however, 
he  takes  no  such  pains,  since  hollow  stumps  and  logs  are  always  to 
be  had  for  the  mere  finding,  and  these  when  comfortably  lined  with 
dry  leaves,  make  the  coziest  beds.  But  most  of  all  do  the  spotted 
skunks  abound  where  there  are  plenty  of  rocky  hiding  places,  and 
best  of  all  do  they  like  to  make  their  dens  down  among  the  crevices 
where  they  scramble  in  and  out  with  an  ease  and  freedom  of  motion 
that  would  much  surprise  those  whose  acquaintance  with  their  fam- 
ily is  limited  to  their  more  bulky  and  clumsy  cousins. 


213 


MOLE  or  SHREW 
Scalops  aquaticus. 

Although  the  common  mole  exists  only  in  the  eastern  part  of 
our  country  from  southern  Canada  to  Florida,  yet  allied  species 
of  such  close  resemblance  are  found  further  north  and  west  that 
his  habits  should  be  well  known  everywhere.  Few  creatures,  in- 
deed, are  more  interesting  and  few  are  also  more  misunderstood 
or  less  rewarded  than  is  the  steady  little  worker  underground.  Na- 
ture has  shown  a  proper  economy  in  withholding  from  him  an  ex- 
ternal ear,  which  would  prove  but  a  hindrance  to  his  progress,  while 
his  eyesight  is  so  deficient  as  to  require  no  more  light  than  the  dim- 
ness of  his  dark  recesses.  All  his  ambitions  and  powers  are  directed 
toward  one  single  and  most  important  end ;  namely,  ridding  the  top 
soil  of  the  innumerable  pests,  worms,  insects  and  their  larvae  that  do 

215 


such   incalculable   damage   to   every   crop   and   against   which   our 
boasted  human  wisdom  can  contrive  no  defense. 

He  will  die  of  starvation  rather  than  live  on  a  vegetable  diet 
and  his  appetite  for  worms  is  so  voracious  that  his  death  is  only  a 
question  of  hours  when  deprived  of  them.  Valuable,  therefore,  for 
both  his  sake  and  our  own,  is  a  knowledge  of  the  real  purpose  of  the 
mole,  whose  study  also  reveals  a  striking  example  of  the  fitness 
with  which  many  an  animal  is  designed  for  an  appointed  task.  His 
six-inch  body  possesses  a  cylindrical  form  which  allows  free  passage 
through  any  opening  large  enough  for  the  head  and  shoulders.  Then 
there  is  the  remarkable  adaptation  of  the  short  gray  fur,  whose  vel- 
vety smoothness  and  straight  erectness  of  direction  aid  his  conve- 
nience and  preserve  his  cleanliness  by  readily  shedding  the  dirt  with 
which  he  comes  in  contact.  Even  more  noteworthy  are  his  instru- 
ments for  digging.  The  snout-shaped  head  ends  in  a  sharp  nose 
which  projects  half  an  inch  beyond  the  mouth  and  is  equipped  with 


216 


a  hard,  flat  point  to  be  used  exactly  like  a  drill  in  boring  his  way 
into  the  earth.  Next  the  short  but  powerful  fore  limbs  set  in  mo- 
tion the  broad  flat  feet,  perhaps  the  most  interesting  feature  of  all. 
Curiously  like  hands  do  they  look,  the  palms  always  turned  upward, 
ready  for  work  at  shortest  notice,  and  armed  with  five  big  claws, 
marvelously  quick  at  both  chiseling  and  shoveling  the  soft  sandy 
surface  in  which  their  owner  delights  to  tunnel. 

In  one  variety  numerous  in  the  eastern  United  States  and  found 
especially  in  low  swampy  localities,  the  useful  nose  is  adorned  with 
a  peculiar  tip,  having  some  eighteen  rays  projecting  from  a  common 
center  and  giving  the  species  the  appropriate  name  of  "star-nosed 
mole"  (condylura  cristata).  The  fur  of  these  different  moles,  al- 
though so  very  small,  is  used  quite  extensively  in  the  linings  of  the 
most  expensive  garments. 


217 


LITTLE  BROWN  BAT 

Myotis   lucifitgiis. 

This  representative  of  the  only  order  among  mammals  endowed 
with  the  power  of  true  flight  is  common  everywhere  in  North  Amer- 
ica, east  of  the  Rockies.  Weird  creatures  of  the  twilight  are  they, 
spending  the  bright  hours  of  sunshine  hanging  head  downward  and 
clinging  with  sharp  curved  claws  to  the  roof  of  some  secluded  cave, 
the  trunk  of  a  thickly  foliaged  tree,  or  the  rafters  of  an  old  barn 
or  garret.  At  the  approach  of  darkness  they  awake  and  begin  their 
airy  flitting  to  and  fro  in  the  quest  for  all  the  tiny  insectivora  upon 
which  they  feed. 

So  rapid  and  noiseless  is  their  flight  that  in  the  uncertain  light 
and  shadow  they  invariably  startle  us  and  give  the  impression  of 
being  uncanny  wanderers  from  some  spirit  world.  Almost  as  thin 

219 


as  gossamer  is  the  membrane  which  serves  them  instead  of  wings, 
ana  except  by  examination  we  could  hardly  believe  it  consists  of 
two  layers,  one  stretched  over  the  fore  limbs  and  a  second  extending 
from  the  sides  of  the  body  and  hind  legs.  Unreal  for  an  animal 
appear  the  long-fingered  hands  which  support  their  framework, 
spreading  it  at  their  pleasure  and  folding  it  down  about  the  body 
like  a  garment  during  their  daytime  naps. 

So  apparently  supernatural  is  the  ability  to  avoid  all  obstacles  in 
their  swift  darting  motion  that  the  naturalist  has  suspected  them 
of  possessing  some  sort  of  a  sixth  sense.  Finally,  for  the  purpose  of« 
study,  one  unfortunate  specimen  was  totally  deprived  of  its  vision, 
but  the  result  was  not  as  disastrous  as  might  have  been  expected,  as 
after  a  short  time,  it  easily  resumed  its  quick  and  safe  course.  By 
similar  experiments  it  has  been  proved  that  this  wonderfully  dis- 
criminating choice  of  direction  is  due,  in  a  large  measure,  to  pecu- 
liarly sensitive  nerves  in  the  delicate  membranes,  as  well  as  in  the 


220 


unusual  structure  of  the  ear  and  perhaps  in  the  nose.  By  the 
thoughtful  mind  this  remarkable  gift  will  at  once  be  compared  to 
the  singular  faculty  by  which  a  blind  person  so  often  and  so  ably 
"feels  his  way." 

As  suggested  by  the  name,  the  little  brown  bat  is  one  of  the 
smallest  of  the  family,  measuring  less  than  three  and  one-half  inches 
long.  Common,  however,  in  the  Middle  States  and  found  both  north 
and  south,  is  a  cousin  of  darker  shade,  who  is  more  than  an  inch 
longer,  and  an  expanse  of  wing  of  more  than  a  foot.  This  second 
species,  the  "large  brown,"  or  Carolina  bat  (Vespertilio  fuscus)  is 
interesting  not  alone  because  it  usually  appears  only  after  twilight 
is  deepening  into  night,  but  also  because  it  may  sometimes  be  seen 
in  winter,  when  other  bats  have  taken  their  departure  for  warmer 
climates. 


221 


I 


VIRGINIA  OPOSSUM 

Didelphis  virginiana. 

Adult  specimens  of  this  peculiar  animal  vary  considerably  in 
size,  measuring  in  length  from  twenty-six  to  thirty-six  inches  in- 
cluding the  tail,  which  is  about  three-quarters  the  length  of  the  body. 
The  color  is  grayish  white,  with  the  legs  and  feet  more  brown  than 
gray. 

They  usually  nest  in  a  hollow  of  some  decayed  tree,  or  in  a 
hole  dug  under  the  roots  of  a  tree  or  stone,  which  they  line  with 
leaves  and  moss,  and  in  which  their  young  are  born,  from  six  to  ten 
in  number,  and  at  that  time  are  less  than  one  inch  in  length. 

For  two  or  three  weeks  the  young  are  blind  and  remain  quiet. 
They  do  not  remain  in  the  nest  as  do  most  other  animals,  but  are 
placed  by  the  mother  in  a  sac  or  pouch,  where  they  remain  and  nurse 

223 


for  about  five  weeks.  During  this  time  they  have  grown  rapidly, 
their  eyes  have  opened,  and  they  are  able  to  begin  to  care  for  them- 
selves, somewhat.  They  return  to  their  home  before  daylight  for 
rest  and  sleep  in  their  mother's  pouch;  this  they  do  for  several 
months. 

They  spend  the  days  in  some  secluded  place,  if  pleasant,  where 
they  will  be  in  the  sun,  or  if  stormy  in  some  sheltered  place  pro- 
tected from  the  weather. 

At  night  they  come  out  for  their  foraging  for  their  necessary 
food,  which  consists  of  a  large  variety,  both  vegetable  and  animal. 
They  are  especially  fond  of  the  fruit  of  the  persimmon  tree,  many 
forms  of  insect  life  and  small  rodents,  also  the  young  and  the  eggs 
of  birds. 

The  opossums  are  great  climbers  and  are  perfectly  at  home 
among  the  tree  tops.  Their  front  feet  are  provided  with  five  sharp 
claws  and  on  the  hind  feet  the  fifth  toe  is  similar  to  the  thumb  of  a 

224 


person's  hand  and  they  make  use  of  it  grasping  a  limb  as  one  would 
with  the  hand.  The  tail  is  also  prehensile,  so  that  they  use  it  in 
climbing  or  hanging  from  a  limb  in  reaching  for  fruit,  or  for  a  limb 
below  them. 

If  slightly  wounded  or  made  captive  in  any  way  they  have 
a  habit  of  feigning  death  so  successfully  as  to  deceive  any  one,  but  if 
left  alone  for  a  moment  they  quickly  come  to  life  and  are  up  and 
off  as  lively  as  ever. 

When  camping  in  the  south,  the  opossum  will  often  get  into  the 
box  of  provisions  and  get  caught  in  that  way.  Their  flesh  is  very 
palatable  and  is  considered  a  luxury  by  the  negroes  and  by  many 
hunters. 

They  dislike  the  cold  weather  and  at  that  time  are  rarely  to  be 
found,  except  in  warm  days  of  sunshine,  when  they  will  venture 
forth  in  quest  of  food  and  possibly  for  a  warmer  location. 


225 


ARMADILLO 

Tatu  novemcinctum. 

This  single  representative  of  a  well-known  South  American 
family  is  found  in  our  country  on  the  dry  plains  of  Texas  and  Ari- 
zona where  its  range  extends  south  beyond  our  borders.  Like  the 
porcupine,  it  furnishes  a  noteworthy  illustration  of  Nature's  pro- 
tective methods.  The  body  is  completely  encased  in  a  coat  of  ar- 
mored mail,  presenting  an  almost  invulnerable  surface  to  an  enemy. 
In  our  species  this  hard,  bony  shield  comprises  three  distinct  por- 
tions ;  a  solid  covering  over  the  shoulders,  into  which  the  head  and 
fore  feet  may  be  drawn,  a  second  similar  one  over  the  hind  quarters, 
which  likewise  protects  the  hind  feet ;  between  and  connected  with 
these  two,  as  well  as  with  one  another,  are  parallel  rows  of  bony 
scales,  running  across  the  body.  The  number  of  these  bands  is 

227 


denoted  by  the  Latin  "novem  cinctum"  meaning  ''nine  banded," 
other  varieties  being  known  as  three  banded,  six  banded,  etc.,  in 
the  Latin  equivalents.  There  is,  to  be  sure,  one  of  the  family  whose 
covering  is  in  three  solid  plates,  but  the  banded  members  have  the 
advantage  of  flexibility,  being  able  to  roll  themselves  up  into  a 
well-nigh  impenetrable  shell  in  order  to  escape  an  attack. 

The  color  of  this  odd  but  wonderfully  equipped  creature  is  a 
brownish  black  above  and  yellowish  white  on  the  under-parts.  The 
total  length  is  some  thirty  inches,  of  which  the  tail,  also  surrounded 
with  horny  rings,  measures  about  fourteen. 

In  habits  as  well  as  appearance  this  animal  affords  many  inter- 
esting features.  Its  home  is  a  burrow  in  the  sandy  soil,  which,  by 
means  of  the  powerful  claws,  can  be  excavated  with  astonishing 
rapidity.  The  habitations  are  often  situated  near  ant-mounds  to 
allow  easy  access  to  one  of  the  staple  articles  of  food,  but  it  is  not  at 
all  exacting  in  the  choice  of  its  diet  and  seems  to  relish  equally  vege- 

228 


table  matter,  birds'  eggs  and  young  lizards,  mice  and  snakes,  while 
regarding  as  a  particular  delicacy  the  carrion  of  some  unfortunate 
beast.  This  variety  possesses  more  virtue  than  the  description  might 
imply  as  it  produces  a  quality  of  flesh  so  excellent  as  to  cause  the 
chief  motive  for  hunting  the  armadillo. 

This  is  another  of  the  large  class  of  animals  who  prefer  dark- 
ness to  light  for  their  travels  abroad  and,  when  we  consider  the 
wild  creatures  of  the  tropics  who  are  its  natural  enemies,  we  wonder 
little  at  this  manifestation  of  caution.  In  addition  to  the  defense  of 
its  covering  and  the  swiftness  with  which  it  can  excavate  a  place  of 
retreat  from  its  pursuer,  it  is  further  endowed  with  a  very  acute 
sense  of  hearing  and  with  a  rate  of  speed,  for  a  short  distance  at 
least,  out  of  all  keeping  with  its  bulky  and  weighty  frame. 


229 


RIGHT  WHALE 

Balaena  glacialis. 

This  huge  inhabitant  of  the  North  Atlantic,  who  has  an  average 
length  of  fifty  feet  and  a  girth  of  thirty  or  forty,  so  little  resembles 
any  other  mammal  that  it  was  formerly  classed  with  the  fish.  Its 
study  by  naturalists,  however,  has  shown  that  the  structure  of  its 
body  and  the  dependence  of  its  young  upon  the  mother  for  life  and 
food  prove  beyond  doubt  that  it  is  of  true  mammal  type. 

Unquestionable  as  this  is,  Nature  has  done  her  best  to  fit  this 
curious  creature  for  existence  in  the  elements  supposedly  suited  to 
fish  alone.  She  has  given  him  a  fishlike  shape  to  enable  him  to  make 
the  best  possible  speed  through  the  water,  she  has  taken  away  any 
hairy  covering  that  might  hinder  his  progress  and  bestowed  instead 
a  thick  layer  of  fat  just  beneath  the  skin  to  protect  him  from  the 

231 


freezing  Arctic  cold,  while  the  uselessness  of  legs  has  been  avoided 
by  changing  the  fore  limbs  into  paddles  and  enclosing  the  hind  ones 
in  the  body,  where  a  rudimentary  form  of  them  still  exists.  Only 
one  condition  of  life  escapes  her  skill;  the  whale  can  breathe  noth- 
ing but  air  and  must  rise  to  the  surface  to  get  it.  Even  here  she 
has  modified  the  matter  by  making  it  possible  for  one  long  breath  of 
one  to  two  minutes  to  last  him  during  a  ten  to  twenty  minutes'  stay 
under  water,  nor  did  she  forget  to  adapt  his  tail  peculiarly  to  this 
difficulty  by  a  horizontal  shape,  differing  from  that  of  his  fish  neigh- 
bors, but  just  what  he  needs  for  the  quick  upward  stroke  when  he 
must  go  to  "blow."  In  this  connection  it  should  be  said  that  the 
"spouting"  at  these  times  is  due  to  the  rapid  condensation  of  the 
warm  vapor  of  the  breath  when  it  strikes  the  chill  atmosphere,  ex- 
actly as  moisture  collects  on  a  window  pane  against  which  we 
breathe,  and  had  nothing  to  do  with  any  water  taken  in  by  the  whale 
with  his  food. 

232 


The  hundreds  of  gallons  that  do  find  their  way  into  his  ample 
mouth,  where  the  jaws  are  sixteen  feet  long,  seven  wide,  and  ten 
high,  are  readily  disposed  of  by  the  great  whalebone  sieve.  Most 
interesting  is  the  half  ton  or  more  of  this  huge  drain,  composed  of 
perhaps  three  hundred  black  blades,  hanging  down  from  the  roof  of 
his  mouth  on  each  side,  with  the  lower  edges  frayed  into  silky,  but 
tough,  brushes,  all  so  flexible  that  it  folds  back  when  the  mighty 
jaws  are  shut.  But,  gliding  along  with  them  wide  open,  does  this 
monster  scoop  in  the  smallest  sea  food,  which  is  the  only  size  his 
gullet  of  two  inches  in  diameter  can  swallow,  and  not  until  he  has 
his  cavernous  mouth  full,  does  he  force  out  the  water  through  his 
effective  sieve  and  retain  the  prey  to  be  consumed  at  his  leisure. 


WALRUS 

Odob.enus  rosmarus. 

There  are  few  more  ungainly  beasts  than  these  strange  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Arctic  waters.  They  usually  travel  in  herds  and,  as  a 
single  male  measures  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  length  and  often  weighs  a 
ton,  we  may  readily  understand  why  a  group  of  them  has  been  called 
"one  moving  mass  of  heaviness."  Each  walrus  alone  presents  a 
well-nigh  uncanny  appearance ;  first,  there  is  the  shapeless  bulk  of 
the  body  and  the  rolling,  lumbering  gait,  due,  in  part,  to  the  enor- 
mous size  of  the  creature,  but  still  more  to  his  means  of  locomotion, 
as  the  fore  limbs  are  free  only  from  the  elbow  and  the  hind  ones 
are  enclosed  in  the  body  almost  to  the  heels,  while  the  flippers,  which 
must  do  the  service  of  feet,  have  broad,  flat,  webbed  surfaces,  little 

235 


fitted  to  produce  speed  or  grace.  The  next  most  prominent  feature 
is  the  protuberant  muzzle,  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  two  big 
tusks,  which  hang  down  from  the  upper  jaw  and  measure  about  one 
foot  in  length  although  they  are  often  longer,  and  have  been  known 
to  weigh  ten  pounds  each ;  the  small  eye  and  the  absence  of  an  ex- 
ternal ear  are  other  interesting  characteristics  of  this  family. 

The  food  of  this  huge  walrus  seems  inappropriate,  as  he  lives 
on  mollusks  and  fish  dug  from  the  mud  with  his  tusks ;  also  sea- 
weed and  a  number  of  aquatic  plants.  Among  themselves  they  are 
peaceful  and  almost  affectionate  creatures,  as  is  shown  by  their 
behavior  when  they  desire  to  make  an  expedition  on  land.  Each 
beast,  as  soon  as  he  has  touched  shore,  stretches  himself  for  a  com- 
fortable rest,  only  to  be  butted  by  his  nearest  neighbor  as  a  gentle 
hint  to  move  on  and  make  way  for  the  second  comer.  This  is  re- 
peated again  and  again  until  the  whole  herd  of  perhaps  several  thou- 
sand have  found  room.  The  entire  proceeding  is  taken  as  a  mat- 

236 


ter  of  course  and  no  remonstrance  is  offered  at  the  constant  inter- 
ruption of  their  repose. 

Naturally  disposed  to  quiet,  they  seldom  begin  an  attack  against 
an  enemy.  On  the  defensive,  however,  they  prove  a  dangerous  foe, 
since  the  whole  herd  takes  up  the  quarrel  of  any  member  and,  with 
the  indescribable  bellowing  peculiar  to  them,  rushes  upon  the  adver- 
sary. Here,  again,  the  tusks  are  useful,  this  time  as  their  weapon, 
and  with  it  they  are  a  match  for  even  the  polar  bear. 

The  walrus  has  long  furnished  the  Esquimaux  with  food,  fuel 
and  light,  but  is  now  being  hunted  by  far  more  systematic  methods. 
The  hide,  oil  and  ivory  all  have  a  sufficiently  high  commercial  value 
to  tempt  men  to  undergo  the  risks  incurred  in  the  pursuit  of  this 
animal  and,  as  a  consequence,  its  numbers  are  rapidly  diminishing. 


237 


SEA  LION  or  HAIR  SEAL 

Zalophus  calif  or  nianus. 

The  sea  lions,  also  known  as  "eared"  seals,  because,  unlike  the 
true  seals  and  the  walrus,  they  have  clearly  defined  external  ears,  are 
divided  into  two  classes:  fur-seals,  famous  for  their  covering,  and 
hair  seals,  which  lack  the  thick  underfur  that  makes  the  former  so 
valuable,  but  have  some  commercial  importance  because  of  their 
hides  and  oil.  Both  classes  have  the  same  characteristics  and  the 
California!!  one,  while  belonging  to  the  second,  is  a  representative 
type.  His  native  haunts  are  off  the  coast  of  California,  among  the 
Farallone  Islands,  and  the  Cliff  House  rocks,  but  he  is  not  infre- 
quently seen  in  captivity,  being  an  interesting  attraction  at  Zoological 
Gardens,  circuses  and  other  animal  exhibitions.  They  are  more 
easily  trained  than  might  be  supposed  from  their  clumsy  appearance 

239 


and  they  are  clever  at  understanding  a  trick  and  willing  to  perform 
it.  It  is  surely  curious  to  see  these  ungainly  beasts  balancing  colored 
balls  or  lighted  torches  on  their  pointed  snouts  and  rapidly  tossing 
them  from  one  to  another,  seldom  missing  the  catch.  They  are  also 
active  in  climbing  the  rocks  and  cliffs  and  their  hind-flippers  are  so 
far  free  as  to  allow  them  to  walk  after  their  own  fashion. 

The  coloring  of  the  sea-lion  is  a  chestnut  brown,  which  varies 
slightly  with  change  of  season  or  age,  being  darkest  in  summer  and 
on  the  younger  lions.  The  head  is  distinguished  by  the  prominent 
curve  of  the  crown  and  the  well-defined  slope  above  the  eye,  giving 
the  dog  or  lion-like  profile,  from  which  comes  the  name.  The  males 
are  much  larger  than  the  females,  weighing  from  four  to  five  hun- 
dred pounds,  and  measuring  seven  feet  or  more  in  length,  while  the 
female  may  be  from  one  to  two  feet  shorter  and  weighs  less  by  one 
or  even  two  hundred  pounds. 

The  amount  of  food  consumed  is  enormous.     They  have  been 

240 


accused  of  feasting  on  the  valuable  salmon  of  the  western  coast  but 
systematic  investigation  has  proven  this  report  to  be  wholly  false 
and  they  are  quite  content  with  squids,  crabs,  shellfish  and  sea  fowl. 
For  some  undiscovered  reason,  they  have  a  fondness  for  round  peb- 
bles, of  which  they  swallow  large  quantities  during  their  lifetime. 

A  noteworthy  peculiarity  of  the  sea-lion  is  his  bark,  which  is 
short  and  sharp,  sometimes  resembling  a  howl,  but  never  a  growl 
or  roar  like  that  of  some  of  the  other  eared-seals.  At  the  breeding 
season  this  species,  like  others,  repair  to  their  breeding  places  or 
"rookeries,"  where  the  young  are  born,  after  which  the  polygamous 
males  select  stations  and  assemble  their  harems.  There  is  constant 
righting  among  them  to  prevent  encroachment  on  their  territory. 


241 


/   i 


HARBOR  SEAL 

Phoca  vitulina. 

Also  called  the  "common''  seal,  this  is  the  best  known  represen- 
tative of  the  true  seal  family  and  is  found  along  our  north  Atlantic 
shores  as  far  south  as  New  Jersey,  while  a  closely  related  species 
frequents  the  Pacific  coast  south  to  California.  The  family  is  also 
designated  by  the  term  "earless"  seals,  since  the  absence  of  an  ex- 
ternal ear  distinguishes  it  from  the  eared  seals,  but  other  marks  of 
difference  are  seen  in  the  shorter  neck  and  the  hind-flippers,  which 
are  always  bent  backward.  As  a  result  of  this  last  peculiarity,  this 
group  are  more  clumsy  on  land,  being  compelled  to  make  their  way 
by  a  wriggling  motion  of  the  whole  frame  and,  while  often  seen 
just  out  of  the  water  upon  the  sand  or  rocks,  usually  remain  near 
their  natural  element. 

243 


Well  fitted  to  this  seafaring  existence  is  the  shape  of  the  body, 
which  tapers  from  the  middle  toward  each  end,  and  the  flippers,  so 
unwieldy  for  walking,  perform  the  best  possible  service  as  a  pro- 
pelling and  guiding  force. 

Like  all  their  kind  they  are  gregarious,  especially  during  the 
breeding  season,  when  more  time  is  spent  on  shore  than  at  any  other 
period,  but  with  none  of  the  accompanying  disorder  characteristic 
of  the  sea-lions.  The  young,  usually  but  one  in  number,  is  covered  at 
birth  with  a  thick,  yellowish  wool,  which  is  soon  replaced  by  the 
ordinary  hair,  and  it  is  then  ready  to  take  to  the  water.  It  still  re- 
mains, however,  with  its  parents,  who  show  great  solicitude  for  their 
offspring  and  do  not  hesitate,  if  need  be,  to  sacrifice  their  lives  for 
its  preservation. 

While  somewhat  migratory  with  change  of  season,  the  name 
'"harbor"  denotes  that  they  are  not  fond  of  the  deep  sea,  but  pre- 
fer to  remain  alongshore,  frequently  swimming  far  up  into  the 

244 


mouths  of  rivers  and  hunting  for  their  food  in  quiet  inlets.  They 
doubtless  consume  large  quantities  of  fish,  but  are  otherwise  per- 
fectly harmless  and  entirely  valueless  to  civilized  man,  although 
held  in  high  favor  by  the  Esquimaux.  In  length  they  measure  some 
four  feet  and  present  a  speckled  appearance  as  the  short  stiff  hair, 
with  no  underfur,  is  most  often  yellowish  gray  with  black  spots, 
although  it  may  be  dark  brown  with  the  spots  of  a  lighter  shade. 

While  not  equal  to  the  eared-seals  in  activity  or  intelligence,  yet 
they  may  be  easily  tamed  and  display  much  affection  and  gratitude 
for  any  attention  bestowed  upon  them.  On  land,  water  and  ice  alike, 
nevertheless,  these  quiet  and  inoffensive  creatures  find  foes  ready  to 
take  advantage  of  their  unsuspecting  temperament  and  their  help- 
lessness when  pursued.  Large  numbers  annually  fall  a  prey  to  the 
shark,  swordfish  and  polar  bear,  to  make  no  mention  of  those  shot 
in  wanton  cruelty  by  man  to  whom  they  can  bring  no  possible  profit. 


245 


MANATEE  or  SEA  COW 

Trichcch us  latirostris. 

Although  once  common  all  along  our  southern  shores,  the 
manatee,  which  receives  its  name  from  the  Latin  "manus,"  meaning 
"hand,''  because  of  the  resemblance  of  the  use  of  its  flippers  to  that 
of  hands,  is  now  found  only  in  the  estuaries  and  lagoons  of  Florida 
and  Mexico.  The  similarity  in  general  outline  between  the  upper 
portion  of  the  body  and  that  of  the  human  form  is  also  said  to  have 
been  the  foundation  of  the  famous  mermaid  legends,  especially  since 
the  female,  clasping  her  young  to  her  breast,  often  shows  her  head 
above  water.  Most  of  the  existence  of  the  manatee  is,  however, 
spent  floating  beneath  the  surface  of  the  bays  and  river  mouths 
where  it  lives,  using  its  round  flat  tail  as  a  propeller  and  rudder, 
although  it  seems  to  have  too  little  intelligence  or  initiative  to  care 
much  which  way  it  shall  go. 

247 


In  appearance,  these  creatures  are  among  the  most  odd  of  any 
on  either  land  or  sea,  but  they  are  more  like  the  seal  than  any  other 
animal  with  which  we  are  at  all  familiar.  They  have  been  found  to 
measure  from  eight  to  thirteen  feet  in  length  and  to  weigh  from  five 
hundred  to  twelve  hundred  pounds.  The  extremely  thick  skin  is 
dark  gray  in  color  and  gives,  at  first  sight,  the  impression  of  bare 
nakedness,  although  a  close  inspection  may  reveal  a  few  scattered 
bristles  on  its  wrinkled  surface.  The  flesh  has  been  esteemed  as  of 
excellent  flavor,  and  this  fact,  combined  with  the  value  of  the  skin 
for  strong  leather,  and  of  the  blubber  for  oil,  has  been  largely  in- 
strumental in  bringing  about  the  decrease  of  their  numbers.  To- 
day, fortunately,  they  are  under  state  protection  which  encourages 
the  hope  that  there  may  be  at  least  no  further  diminution  of  this 
harmless  and  interesting  family. 

An  account  of  its  peculiarities  would  be  incomplete  without 
reference  to  its  manner  of  feeding  upon  the  seaweeds,  grasses,  and 

248 


other  plants,  all  of  which  are  eaten  under  water.  First,  it  uses  its 
hand-serving  flippers  to  draw  the  selected  morsel  within  convenient 
range;  then,  the  nourishment  must  be  tender  as  well  as  toothsome, 
for  in  place  of  front  teeth,  with  which  to  bite  off  its  food,  it  is 
taken  by  the  two  curious  flap-like  contrivances  which  form  the  upper 
lip.  Upon  the  approach  of  the  flippers,  these  are  distended  and  suck 
in;  as  it  were,  the  bit  of  leaf  or  grass  presented  to  them,  after  which 
the  flaps  close  up  the  opening  and  that  portion  of  the  meal  is  secure. 
The  manatee  does  not  take  kindly  to  captivity  and,  although  occa- 
sionally displayed  in  exhibitions,  usually  lives  but  a  short  time.  In 
the  study  of  these  animals,  no  one  has  ever  heard  a  specimen  emit 
any  sort  of  a  sound. 


249 


INDEX 


Antelope  50      Buffalo 


30 


Armadillo 226     Carcajou 127 

Badger  122      Caribou 18 

Bat,  Carolina 221      Cat,  Bob 83 

Civet   73 

Tiger 87 


Large  Brown 221 

Little  Brown   218 

Bear,  Black   66 

Cinnamon  ....   69 


Wild 82 

Chickaree 187 

Grizzly    58      Chipmunk 194 

Polar 62      Civet  Cat 73 

Cony   155 


Skunk    ,  .128 


Beaver 


134 


Cotton-tail 158 

Bighorn   43      Cougar 75 

Bison 31      Coyote 94 


250 


Deer,  Black-tailed 27 

Jumping 28 

Mule   26 

Virginia 22 

Fawn   Frontispiece 

Elk 14 

Ermine 131 

Fisher 117 

Fox,  Arctic 106 

Black 102 

Blue 107 

Cross    101 

Gray 110 

Red   98 

Silver  103 

White  .  .  106 


Glutton   127 

Goat,  Mountain 38 

Ground  Hog   203 

Hare,  Little  Chief 154 

Northern   150 

White 151 

Lynx,  Bay 83 

Canada 78 

Red 83 

Manatee    246 

Marmot   199 

Marten 115 

Fisher   117 

Pine 115 

Mink  118 

Mole,  Common   214 


251 


Mole,  Star-nosed 217 

Moose 10 

Mountain  Devil 127 

Goat 38 

Lion 74 

Sheep,  Black  ....  49 
Sheep,  Rocky  ....  42 
Sheep,  White  ....  46 

Mouse,  Field    166 

House   170 

Jumping   174 

Musk  Ox  34 

Muskrat    138 

Musquash    140 

Ocelot  86 

Opossum 222 


Otter 142 

Peccary 54 

Pika 155 

Polecat 207 

Porcupine 146 

Prairie  Dog  198 

Pronghorn    51 

Puma 75 

Rabbit,  Cottontail    158 

Gray 159 

White    151 

Raccoon    70 

Rat,  Black   164 

Brown 164 

Common  162 

Norway   163 


252 


Sable 114 

Sea  Cow 247 

Lion   238 

Seal,  Common    242 

Eared 239 

Earless 243 

Hair   239 

Harbor    242 

Sheep,  Black  Mountain 49 

Rocky        "          42 

White  ....  46 

Shrew,  Common 215 

Skunk   206 

Spotted   210 

Squirrels,  Chikaree 187 

Chipmunk 194 


Squirrels,  Flying 190 

Fox 182 

Gray    178 

Red   186 

Striped    195 

Walrus    234 

Wrapiti . 15 

Weasel    130* 

Whale,  Right 230 

Wild  Cat   82 

Wolf,  Gray 90 

Prairie   95 

Timber    91 

Wolverine 126 

Woodchuck  ..202 


253 


FIELD     GLASSES 

FOR  NATURE  STUDENTS 

These  are  equally  good  for  the  mountain, 
sea  shore,  theatre,  or  wherever  a  large,  clear 
image  of  an  object  is  desired. 

They  add  nine  times  to  the  pleasure  of 
the  Nature  student  and  more  than  that  to 
the  value  of  his  observations. 

They  have :  wide  angle  of  view ;  give  a 
very  clear  image ;  show  colors  and  markings 
very  distinctly. 

Magnify  3  diameters  (9  times) 
Black  finish;  weight  15  oz.;  size  2x3x4^  in. 

$5.00  Prepaid 

Includes  Leather  Case  and  Strap 

Money  back  if  not  satisfactory  (10  days'  trial) 

CHAS.  K.  REED,  WORCESTER,  MASS. 


254 


FLOWER  GUIDE.    320  wild  flowers  in  natural  colors  with  full  descriptions. 
Cloth,  80c.;  leather,  $1.05,  postpaid. 

TREE  GUIDE.     Illustrating  all  of  the  trees  east  of  the  Rockies.     Cloth, 
$1.05;  leather,  $1.30,  postpaid. 

GUIDE  TO  TAXIDERMY.     Complete,  tells  how  to  mount  birds,  animals, 
fish,  etc.,  310  pages.    Cloth,  $1.65,  postpaid. 

THE  BIRD  BOOK.    More  than  1,000  illustrations.    The  most  complete  book 
published ;  700  birds  in  color,  $3.00,  prepaid. 

GAME  BIRDS.    100  or  more  in  natural  colors  with  full  description  of  habits, 

etc. ;   65   cents,   postpaid. 
GOLDFISH  and  AQUARIA.    Tells  how  to  make  and  fit  an  aquarium,  what 

fish  to  have,  etc. ;  55  cents,  postpaid. 
NATURE    STUDIES.     In   field    and   wood.     Interesting   and   entertaining 

stories  for  the  young ;  65  cents,  postpaid. 

Send  for  complete  catalogue  of  books,  postcards,  pictures,  etc. 
CHAS.  K.  REED,  WORCESTER,  MASS. 

255 


LAND    BIRDS 

$V  By  CHESTER  A.  REED,  B.  S. 

"LAND  BIRDS"  is  the  most  popular  and  has  had  the 
largest  sale  (over  300,000  copies)  of  any  bird  book  pub- 
lished in  this  country.  It  is  used  and  recommended  by 
our  leading  ornithologists  and  teachers.  230  pages. 

Bound  in  cloth,  75c.:  in  leather,  $1.00,  postpaid 

WATER    BIRDS 

The  pictures  show  more  than  230  birds  in  color,  every 
species  found  in  our  range. 

Bound  in  cloth,  $1.00,  net;  in  leather,  $1.25 

WESTERN   BIRD  GUIDE 

320  birds  pictured   in   natural   colors  of  birds  in  the 
of  I  l    Rockies  and  west  to  the  Pacific.    256  pages,  bound  and 
I    neatly  boxed. 
u     Bound  in  sockcloth,  $1.00;  in  leather,  $1.25,  postpaid 

^         CHAS.  K.  REED,  WORCESTER,  MASS. 

256 


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